É. Guigal Côte de Rhône Rosé 2005 Tasting Notes

The appellation Côte de Rhône is rather broad in geographical terms, which in the case of Guigal simply denotes a large universe from which to buy in the best Rhône grapes. The touch and feel of the wine is its best note; it has a sensuous, elegant, rather civilized mouthfeel, absolutely European.

The fruit on the palate is led by raspberry with strawberry, cherry, a warm tangerine, and floral notes of rose. The acidity is cooperative throughout, piping in at the refreshing finish with a deep tang of pomegranate. The wine has excellent ripe fruit extraction and yet at the same time presents a pleasant lightness appropriate in a rosé.

I wouldn't peg it too forcefully as a summer wine, but it was, in fact, more than a match for a true scorcher. If I were to position this rosé ideally, I would call it an aperitif, either standing alone or paving the way for a heavier wine at dinner. It is such a well-made wine, however, that it would be a shame not to give it center stage at some point.