Rosé for All Time

In the world of upper echelon rosé, there is no question. Bandol is king. This seaside Provençal village, known for its particularly moving expressions of Mourvèdre, gives us one of the most serious, complex renditions of rosé in the world. Gros Noré's iteration is among the best, with a perfect balance between body and acidity.

All of the fruit in this wine comes from a single vineyard at Hauts Baigneaux. It’s name? “La Surprise.” Made from 70% Grolleau grapes, which are typically made into rosé wines, this bottle begs for a hot summer day, or at sun at whatever temp. Chill on the porch or cart it to a picnic — this one shines bright.

At the turn of the century, Kermit Lynch and Daniel Brunier (of Vieux Télégraphe) joined forces to revive one of the greatest, oldest winemaking properties of the Southern Rhône: Domaine Les Pallières. Their rosé is super juicy, with layers of fresh strawberry and raspberry, rose, and wet stone that roll in, sweep out, and roll in again like ocean waves.

Is this the most fun you can have drinking natural wine? It is certainly the most fun Rhone valley rosé we've come across. Clos des Mourres Pompette is a neon fruit-salad of a wine. It is a ripe, juicy blast of muddled raspberry, split red cherry, orange slices, gardenia, and rosemary.

Dolores Cabrera Fernández, the veritable queen of funk, crafts seriously interesting wine using her century-plus old Listan Negro vines. In her gulpable Rosado, campfire smoke-laden minerality and wet earth surround a solid core of sun-baked berries. Unique, very approachable, very delicious.

Learn more about Dolores Cabrera Fernandez' incredible island, and others like it, on our blog.