To many summer Hamptons weekend residents, local wine means Wolffer Estate rose. They make a lot of it (6,600 cases) and it sells out often before demand has subsided.
It's made in a consistently dry, crisp style -- perfect for the beach or your nearest pool party -- and is always a blend of red and white grapes (rather than all-red or saignee). In many ways, it is a Long Island classic. We drink quite a bit of it every summer too, even though we are anything but Hamptons types.
The Wolffer Estate 2009 Rose ($17) was made using 46% merlot, 33% chardonnay, 12% cabernet sauvignon and 9% cabernet franc, and it's true to winemaker Roman Roth's preferred style at Wolffer.
Strawberries, peach and a grapefruit mingle on a fruity, fresh nose and the medium-bodied palate brings the same fruitiness with intense strawberry flavors with more subdued peach, citrus and kiwi character.
Bright, thirst-quenching acidity plays nicely off of the slightly creamy mid-palate. It really is easy to see why they sell through so much of it every year.
Producer: Wolffer Estate Vineyards
ABV:
11.9%
RS: .1%
TA: 7.0 g/l
pH: 3.30
Case Production: 6,600
Price:
$17*
Rating: 86
Always, year after year, my favorite rose. This year's is different from last - fruitier, I think - but still the best. We're trying to be good this year and make our case and a half last a while. Last year we blew through 2 cases in no time flat.
Posted by: Paul Z | May 06, 2010 at 01:09 PM