It’s April and for me that means, it’s the unofficial opening of Rosé season (truth be told it’s Rosé season for me pretty much year-round)!  With that in mind, I’m cranking up my annual series of weekly “Drink Pink!“ Rosé tastings.  It’s my quest for the best Pink Porch Pounders $20 or less!  This week’s Rosé is the 2013 Charles & Charles Syrah Rosé.

The Winery

This wine is the result of a collaboration founded in 2008 between Food & Wine Magazine 2009 Winemaker of the year, Charles Smith (K Vintners, Charles Smith Wines) and  Charles Bieler of Three Thieves, Bieler Père et Fils, and Sombra Mezcal.. Their portfolio includes three wines, a Chardonnay, a red blend, and this Rosé, and a red blend, all sourced various vineyard throughout Washington State.

The Wine

Most Rhone based Rose blends are dominated by Grenache.   It’s good to see one where Syrah is the predominant grape in the blend. I think Syrah adds more depth to the body than  this wine than a Grenache dominant blend, along with more acidity and a mineral element.

The fruit was sourced from Columbia Valley vineyards, is a blend of 86% Syrah, 6% Cinsault, 4% Grenache, 2% Counoise, and 2% Mourvedre.  12.8% alcohol.  Retail – $13

My tasting notes follow:

Pink color with raspberry, strawberry, and crushed rock aromas. On the palate, it’s light-bodied, dry and fresh lively mixed red fruits – raspberry, strawberry, cherry, and red currant with a pronounced minerality. Medium finish. 

Rating:  B+: This is a rose I could buy every yet. No. Wait. I have purchased it every year for the last couple of years! Eminently quaffable on its own, this is a Rosé whose personality comes alive with food for me. >>Find this wine<<

Pair with: It was fabulous paired with Veracruz-Style Tilapia – a spicy  tomato based sauce flavored fish with onions, red pepper, olives and capers. I’d also consider pairing with grilled or planked salmon, halibut, or paiche.

Sample purchased for review 

Martin Redmond is a Financial Executive by day, and a certified wine geek with latent foodie tendencies the rest of the time. In addition to the wine lifestyle and food he enjoys family, fitness and traveling. He likes to get thoughts of wine off his mind by sharing experiences on his ENOFYLZ Wine blog, which features wine reviews, wine country travel, and wine and food pairings.

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