Because the date for my Eighth (!) Annual Blind Tasting of American True Rosé is quick approaching (will probably be Memorial Day weekend), I believed it will be an excellent time to revisit a few of the wines that I had beforehand tasted for my Annual Blind Tasting of American Glowing Wines (there have been six of these).

I began these blind tastings for different wine writers and professionals once we moved to Texas since a) it was a great way to fulfill different like-minded people and b) we lastly had an area to carry such a tasting (our home in Texas is bigger than our Philly residence since, nicely, we needed to perpetuate the cliché).

The reveal is all the time enjoyable and sometimes supplies some surprises!

Typically, wineries ship a few bottles of their wine for the tasting on the off likelihood that one of many bottles is, nicely, off. That not often occurs, fairly actually, however I make an effort to get to every of these “additional” bottles and consider them as nicely since change can occur over time and bottle variation is actual.

2019 Gloria Ferrer Brut Rosé, Carneros, CA: Retail $62. 92% Pinot Noir, 8% Chardonnay. This was a part of the Fifth Annual World’s Largest Blind Tasting of American Glowing Wine and that is what I wrote then: “Actually mild cotton sweet with a candy ripe strawberry nostril. Actually pretty palate with tons of fruit. Not candy, however ripe and great.” That’s all nonetheless true. The additional advantage right here is that this bottle was not in my stock, so it’s a little bit of a freebie right here. Freebies are usually Glorious. 92 Factors.

2015 Gloria Ferrer Royal Cuvée, Carneros, CA: Retail $75. Ridiculously Heavy Bottle (915g; 2lbs 0.3oz). 67% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay. This wine was first made means again in 1987 and served to the King and Queen of Spain, therefore the title (Gloria Ferrer is owned by a Spanish wine conglomerate). Whereas the notes are comparable kind the Sixth Annual Blind Tasting of American Glowing Wine (“On the lighter facet in colour with a nutty, inexperienced apple factor occurring within the glass. Good fruit and tartness on the palate, with greater than a little bit of depth, a wonderful sparkler. Glorious. 91 Factors.”), the general expertise is elevated, thus, a barely larger rating. Glorious. 92 Factors.

2017 Raptor Ridge Pinot Noir Brut Rosé, Willamette Valley, OR: Retail $50. 100% Pinot Noir. This was part of the Fifth Annual World’s Largest Blind Tasting of American Glowing Wine and I actually preferred it then. I nonetheless prefer it (so much), and whereas the flavors and aromas stay constant, this bottle appears a bit sweeter than I bear in mind which throws off the steadiness ever so barely. Nonetheless, Glorious, 91 Factors.

2013 Roco RMS Brut Delayed Disgorgement (10 YR), Willamette Valley, OR: Retail $110. Actually Heavy Bottle (848g; 1lb 14oz). 67% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay. I first tasted this a number of months in the past for the Sixth Annual Blind Tasting of American Glowing Wine and I actually preferred it (91 factors). This time? It is likely to be higher. Made by Rollin Solis, the legendary founding father of Argyle Vineyard again in 1987 and resident Willamette glowing wine guru, this wine is clearly previous straw and yellow in colour and on its option to golden. Wealthy and yeasty on the nostril, extra “nutty” than “fruity” with a honeyed side that delights. The palate is flippantly effervescent with tons of caramel and a contact of lemon meringue pie. Delicious. There may be additionally an acidity, which borders on “intense” that actually drives the wine, notably from the mid-palate on. 10 years on the lees? That could be a dedication that few make. Yeah, I’m bumping this as much as Excellent. 93 Factors.

NV Piper Sonoma Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs, Sonoma County, CA: Retail $22. Ridiculously Heavy Bottle (905g; 1lb 15.9oz). 75% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Blanc. One other second bottle for the Sixth Annual Blind Tasting of American Glowing Wine and one other wine I actually liked then (96 Factors). Colorless to mild straw within the glass with a unbelievable nostril of citrus and yeast, with a contact of salinity. The palate is a contact candy, however in any other case well-balanced and wonderful. Yeah, that is Excellent. 94 Factors.

2017 Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir Glowing Rosé Blossom Ridge. Eola – Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, OR: Retail $64. 100% Pinot Noir. I first tasted this classic  for the Fifth Annual Blind Tasting of American Glowing Wine and I preferred it again then (89 Factors). Now? A 12 months later? I prefer it extra. And a fantastic instance of how, regardless of common perception, glowing wine can evolve and even enhance within the bottle. This wine is fruity, tart, vibrant, and, nicely, filled with verve. Glorious. 91 Factors.