We’ve hit that pleasant doldrums between Memorial Day and Independence Day – a sort of pre-summer, as we ease into hotter weather, less rain, and more thunder.
There are a lot of rosés hanging around like fluffy clouds and lots more thunderous reds. Where are the white wines? At any rate, some very good selections in this The Dozen with an emphasis on California.
The relaxing tableau above is courtesy of Voon wines.
2021 Gentleman Farmer Napa Valley Chardonnay ($49). Lots of toast and honey-apple with some enjoyable bitters.
2022 Miguel Torres “Las Mulas” Chile Rosé ($14). Smooth texture with strawberry flavors, though not a crisp finish.
2023 Leos “Cuvée Augusta” Méditerranée Rosé ($20). High and light on the palate with floral notes and crisp orange citrus flavors.
2023 Shannon Family “Mother Vine” High Valley Rosé ($32). Very soothing, like light, flowing sweet water and with most of the flavor coming in the finish.
2022 Gentleman Farmer Sonoma Coast Rosé ($39). Medium body, though with more substance than most pinks, almost like a lighter Gamay red.
2023 Three Sticks “Casteñada” Sonoma Coast Rosé ($45). This needs a little work in the glass or decanting to get the most out of it – like a super Provence with orange citrus seductiveness but with the addition of a spicy finish.
2022 Archery Summit Dundee Hills Pinot Noir ($65). Lean, with very nice cherry and red raspberry flavors and a few bitters lurking around the edges.
2022 Voon “Nada” Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir ($68). Lean and light,with rich black raspberry fruit and a light tang in the finish.
2021 Ehlers Estate St. Helena Cabernet Franc ($78). Smooth textures with quite a few tannins and flavors of blackberries and chocolates. Needs airing.
2019 Gentleman Farmer Napa Valley Red Wine ($79). Emphasis on flavors – red and black fruits – more than structure, with light tannins and finishing acidity.
2021 Ehlers Estate “Jean Leduq” St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon ($106). Somewhat aggressive in approach, medium body, tart berry flavors, good oak, lots of tannins, all still coming together in the bottle.
2021 Ehlers Estate “1886” St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon ($154). Dense fruitiness with lots of power and tannins, lots of wood notes, and flavors of dark berries and chocolate.
Prices listed are generally SRP or from wine-searcher.com. As more wineries are now shipping direct-to-consumer, check the winery website if you can’t find a bottle in your retail store.
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