Chillin’ With Rosé of Pinot Noir

Our celebration of rosé continues with three rosés of Pinot Noir. Two are made in California and the third in Oregon. All were provided to us as tasting samples and all are part of Jackson Family Wines. How did they know my first love is Pinot Noir?

Hot weather has descended upon us this year without much transition from cool, damp weather. On the day we tasted these three rosés the temperature reached nearly 100 degrees. Ack! We needed something to chill with and they provided the perfect sips to accompany grilled chicken, potato salad and roasted asparagus.

2018 Gran Moraine Rosé of Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton, Oregon — ballet slipper pink with aromas of berry bramble and dusty earth. Flavors of citrus, minerals and ripe berries float in a light body and finish with juicy acidity. 12.5% abv. $28

This rosé of Pinot Noir is such a lovely color. Ballet slipper pink is the color that always catches my eye. And I love the berry bramble and earthy flavors in this bright rosé.

This beautiful rosé of Pinot Noir is an intentional rosé, meaning it is not the product of saignée used to make a more concentrated a Pinot Noir. The estate-grown Pinot Noir was harvested from the Gran Moraine and Estate vineyards. It was whole-cluster pressed, cold settled and fermented in flextank vessels using selected yeasts. Pinot Noir clones 828 and 777 were chosen because they exhibit bright fruit, acidity and the skins impart very little color. 

If you care to be distracted by an interesting history of  Pinot Noir clone 828, read this account from The Prince of Pinot. And here’s interesting reading on 777 clone and others.

2018 La Crema Pinot Noir Rosé, Monterey — pale salmon in the glass with struck match then aromas of mixed berries. Flavors of ripe raspberries and blackberries combine with a delicate perfume and finish with citrus pith. Citrusy notes and bright acidity keep this rosé light and refreshing. 13.5% abv. $25

I was prepared to be underwhelmed by the flavor of this La Crema rosé based on the aromas. That wasn’t the case, however. This flavors are lively and interesting.

Pinot Noir clones 115, 667, 777, 2A and Pommard were harvested from four sites in the Monterey appellation. All vineyard sites enjoy cooling breezes and maritime influences of the nearby Pacific Ocean. The grapes were pressed and fermented in stainless steel tanks at cool temperature. The wine spent two to three months on the lees before blending and bottling.

2018 Copain Tous Ensemble Rosé of Pinot Noir, Mendocino County — pale salmon in the glass with aromas of white flowers and mixed berries. Flavors of mixed dark berries and strawberries have a mineral component and are supported by citrusy acidity. 12.8% abv. $23

This wine is bright, lively and weightless in the mouth with an appealing hint of white flowers that lingers.

Five parcels of Pinot Noir in the Copain estate vineyard resulted in nearly 20 lots that were fermented separately in stainless steel. The final blend included only the best lots.

There you have it. Three rosé wines made using Pinot Noir. All are bright and refreshing and just begging to be paired with a summertime meal. The Gran Moraine costs a few dollars more, but I think it is worth it. 

Cheers!