First Batch of 2010 Roses. Or What It Would Look Like If I Wrote A "Wine Blog"

2009 was kind of a retailers dream vintage for French wines. The press went crazy for the riper fruit, bigger bodies and softer acids, in short the wines from much of France in 2009 were a little more suited to the California or new world palate. Not a problem, the wines are delicious but as I started tasting the 2010 Roses from France I was thrilled to find the wines a bit more typical. 2010 appears to be another ripe vintage, just not as ripe so the wines while brimming with bright and generous fruit are just a little more restrained in the weight department and the acidity is just a bit higher. Been loving the more noticeable minerality and almost crunchy snap from this vintage and cannot wait to keep tasting more!

2010 Chateau de Campuget Costieres de Nimes $9.99

This ultra crisp Rose is a blend of Syrah and Grenache, the Syrah giving the wine a nice depth and the Grenache providing lots of spicy, juicy fruit. Light and racy on the palate with a clean and refreshing finish.

2010 Moulin de Gassac Guilhem Vin de Pays de l’Herault $9.99

One of the first of the Roses to arrive and the first three cases we ordered flew out the door. Fans of last year’s offering will delight in finding that the 2010 is packed with just as much lovely flavor; all that racy fruit and mineral that we adored about the 2009 but the 2010 is just a little lighter in weight and has just a bit more snap.

2010 Domaine de Fontsainte Corbieres Gris de Gris $11.99

One of the best vintages is recent memory for this tried and true estate. Vibrant berry flavors, amazing precision and leaves your palate vibrating with zingy acidity.

2010 Andrieux & Fils Cuvee Victoria Cotes de Provence $13.99

One of the deeper and more meaty of this year’s Roses so far. Dark red fruit, hints of banana, nice and full on the palate, almost round but not too. A go to wine for grilled steaks or strongly seasoned chicken dishes.

2010 Domaine Figueirasse Vin des Sables Gris de Gris $11.99

Something slightly grassy in the nose, grassy and reminiscent of watermelon rind. The palate is ripe berries and faint chalky minerality. Round and fleshy but crisp and dry on the lip smacking finish.

2010 Saint Roche Cotes du Provence $12.99

Not sure if you feel like a red or a white? Unable to decide if you want red or more green notes? Well we’ve got the wine for you. Gentle and herby on the nose with a soft powdery like floral note. The palate is crisp, bright, raging with tangy fruit and the finish is super clean.

2010 Le Cengle Cotes de Provence $12.99

Brand new to The Wine Country this charming wine has already stolen hearts around here. Very tropical aromatics, guava, wild flowers, herbs with a splash of zingy citrus. Explosive on the palate the wine pretty much grabs hold of your taste buds and refuses to let go. A show stopping Rose that we could not be more thrilled to add to our extensive collection.

Happy Now?!

Got two emails this morning, one from my son that flooded my heart with joy, (he's doing so well, last final on Friday, preforming in plays which he seems to love and got associate of the month at work...so proud) and the other was in the email for this blog.

Started out nice enough, the person seemed to be concerned that I had been having a rough time the past couple months and then the letter took a turn.

"You know people don't read wine blogs to listen to the blogger complain about their life and it is very annoying when that blogger happens to be in the wine business. Tough job. I think you would be better served to just stick to writing about wine on your wine blog because that's what we come here for"......

Really? Well then, don't come here. Hate to sound like a bitch, okay that's a lie, doesn't bother me one bit. This is MY blog and can and will write about whatever I wish. I do write about wine, not as often or the same way as the hundreds or thousands, how many are there now.....of others and you know what, I fucking dig it that way.

Above is part of what I sent for the May newsletter for The Wine Country. It's what I do all the time and while I still love it, it is not what I wish to come here and write. After a day of my "Tough job" I rather like having a place to come and just talk, if you don't like it then might I recommend you bugger off? And I would pair any one of the aforementioned Roses, they are perfect with buggering, and for a musical selection, Ray Charles, Hit the Road Jack.

Salute.