2018 Top Pacific NW Rosé Report

Rose all day is not just a fad. Rose wines have hit a trend with not only popularity in the tasting room but quality in the bottle. The new Rose releases in the Pacific Northwest have a much greater focus on quality, whether striving for weight, tension or range in the bottle. For the past fifteen plus years I have tasted Rose wines from the Northeast that did not draw much excitement. Many were simply an afterthought, a simple saignee and thrown in the bottle. I am amazed by the transformation of Rose wines in the Pacific Northwest. Many new wines are not only delightful in the glass but are serious, stand alone bottlings that can sit with any of the best Rose wines in North America. I have to disagree with some of my colleagues on Rose — Rose is not a simple wine if it is made correctly. It can be complex, show marvelous range and also pairs remarkably with a broad spectrum of foods. It appears that good Pacific Northwest Rose is now here to stay.

2017 Long Shadows ‘Julia’s Dazzle’ Rose- Sourced from The Benches Vineyard in the Columbia Valley, this wine is another spectacular effort by superstar winemaker Giles Nicault. The nose is highly perfumed with rose petals, guava puree and red cherry candy. The palate is both lush and lithe, showing off exotic rose water, cran-cherry, and blood orange flavors. The tension is vibrant, as this is nearly impossible to resist right now. Enjoy this beautiful Rose young while it keeps its verve. Drink 2018-2022- 92 Read more.