We are proud to announce that the winner of the Crush War of the Rosés (by total number of customer votes) is from an estate that shares our beliefs that good wine begins with good soil and that great wine is a magnification of terroir.
Luckily, they also understand that simply owning good land is not enough, but an incredible amount of work is required to coax truly outstanding results out of the earth.
Located in the heart of Provence, the Commanderie de Peyrassol has a long and illustrious past. (see sidebar). Its current owners, the Rigord family, pour remarkable love and care into their winemaking.
Their effort encompasses everything from cultivation to vinification: No synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or fungicides are used. Harvesting is conducted at precise ripeness, by hand, as is grape sorting and selection. Fermentation occurs at exact temperatures.
The exciting result of this confluence of terroir and hard work is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, and Mourvedre, with a splash of the ancient local grape Tibouren.
Provencal rosés can be wispy, and favor mouthfeel over taste. Not this one! The clay/limestone based soil, old vines, and a hot, dry climate cause extremely low yields and incredible concentration of flavor.
The outstanding 2005 vintage in Provence was kind to the Commanderie: those of you who enjoyed the 2004 will be shocked by the extra punch on the palate that this year's wine delivers.
Here are our tasting notes, interspersed with some of yours:
"A fully dry wine. A crisp citrus attack is balanced by rounder fruit flavors on the midpalate and intense minerality. Stunning purity, focus and finesse."
"Incredibly elegant."
"Very fresh - a good amount of fruit."
"Yummy!"
The estate recommends paring the wine with "Aioli, bouillabaisse, patés, and onions pie," but we recommend a blanket, an umbrella and a picnic basket. Or just two glasses ... this is the wine to take with you wherever you go this summer.