Obvious from the title, this one’s about that stuff.  You know, the often misunderstood, under appreciated rock star?  No, not that Pink, I’m talking about rosé.

Unfortunately, rosé is put in the same category as the numerous disturbingly sweet concoctions of white zinfandel, white Merlot, white Cabernet, etc.  Some of the most beautifully crafted wines in the world are pink, and if you lump them in with the above group of misfits, you’ll only be missing out!

I got two wines for you this time and they couldn’t be any more different.  The first wine is more delicate, a beautiful pink with copper tone rosé from the French appellation of Minervois.  The second?  A chest pounding masculine deep rich rose of Cabernet sauvignon from Stellenbosch in South Africa.  If you are curious about the appellations, follow the links and explore deeper.  What do you need to know?  The Minervois is made up of a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault, varietals made famous by the Rhone valley.   The South African?  100% Cabernet sauvignon, the grape of Bordeaux and Napa Valley, the big boy.  So on to the wines…

The first wine is the 2008 Chateau du Donjon Rosé from France.  This is a wonderful example for French rosé.  It comes alive with beautiful notes of strawberry and raspberry and has the youth to make it exciting.  I personally also picked up a little herbal characteristic in the wine, maybe even a little basil hint on the finish.  This wine has a fantastic texture, like silk,  and has the acidity to support the super chilling that most people insist with their rosé.

The Bottom Line: This wine is a nifty wine to sniff out.  It should be priced well below $15 and is a great wine for a hot, humid, Atlanta spring, summer, fall day.  Oh, and the package is super elegant with the silver trim.  Interesting, don’t overspend!

Vino #2?  The man’s rosé drinker.  This wine is as masculine as a true rosé should ever get.  South Africa is a big rugby nation and I wouldn’t be surprised to find out the players drink 2007 Mulderbosch Rosé.  Made from 100% Cabernet sauvignon, this wine is as jam packed as a rosé could possibly be.  Anymore, and you’re drinking a red.  Even the color has some serious dark copper notes. Wow.  So, tasting time. On the nose?  A Sledgehammer!  Smoke, strawberries, peat, jalapeno and other herbal notes slam your nostril like L.T. quit dancing and went back to a real sport.  Unfortunately, this power high stepping power doesn’t penetrate taste.  The wine is a little upsetting once you taste it.  While Mulderbosch is known for its whites, there is a reason they don’t produce a red.  Creamy, flabby, soft are words that come to mind regarding the taste.  The acidity is okay, there is even tannin structure, but the fruit is overwhelmed by the smoke.  I write this, but I can’t stop tasting it again and again.  Its the Rombauer Chardonnay of rosé!

The Bottom Line: I don’t feel comfortably giving a blind recommendation for this wine.  However, if you like the big, jammy, creamy flavors, this may be the rosé for you.  Just a heads up for those of you who want to seek this wine out, its not an inexpensive rosé, but you should be able to sort it out for under $20.  Might be right for some, I won’t buy it again!

Moral of the story? Real men drink rosé!

Question for you… Why do you think that its completely acceptable to drink a rosé sparkler (they are usually better), but a still wine ought not to be pink?

Cheers!

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