Time to Drink Pink: Superb Rosés to Sip This Summer

Tormaresca 2021 Furía de Calafuria Rosato I.G.T. Salento

This Tormaresca rosato, from Puglia, one of Italy’s most important regions for rosé, combines the energy implied in its name with beauty.

The blend of native Negroamaro with Syrah and Cabernet Franc opens with earthy freshness—dusty raspberry aromas playing with stone fruit, rose and honeysuckle.

Lovely sweet peach fills the mouth, layered with creamy citrus that carries through a more savory, minerally finish.

Stoller Family Estate 2021 Pinot Noir Rosé Willamette Valley

Photo: Mindy Gimarelli and Stoller Wine Group

Here’s an appealingly pale and fragrant rosé from Oregon’s Stoller Family, its aromas conjuring a whole garden party with a gamut of florals, watermelon, fresh apricot, pink grapefruit, and guava over an oyster shell quality.

A vibrant palate buzzes with red berries, peach, orangey clementine and a bit of lime zest.

Paraduxx 2021 Rosé Napa Valley

Photo: Paraduxx Napa Valley

This Syrah-based pink from Paraduxx—Duckhorn’s champion brand of interesting blends—is exceptionally vibrant and dry.
Gorgeous florals lead on the nose—spiced jasmine swirling with peach and strawberry aromas.

Citrus underscores the bright palate, with grapefruit and lime adding tartness to raspberry, white peach and grapefruit.

There’s lovely weight and texture in the mouth, with a savory finish for balance.

Masseria Li Veli 2021 Susumaniello Rosato Salento IGT

Photo: Masseria Li Veli

This vibrant Masseria Li Veli is a rare chance to taste one of Puglia’s ancient red grape varieties (there are only 25 acres of Susumaniello planted in all of Italy!) in rosato form, at an unbelievable price.

A tiny bit shy upfront, aromas slowly open with delicate blossoms, a vein of limestone, and crushed herbs under Montmorency cherry.

Bright, straight-arrow acidity punches up pretty fruit on the palate—more red cherry and berry, a little guava, hints of stone fruit and citrus leaning to puckery kumquat.

Goldeneye 2021 Vin Gris of Pinot Noir Anderson Valley

Photo: Goldeneye

Here’s a vibrant, juicy rosé from Goldeneye, the Anderson Valley outpost in the Duckhorn Portfolio, that belies its pale color profile.

On the nose, a fragrant mixed bouquet anchored by roses wraps around wild strawberry, cherry, stone fruit, and a hint of apple skin.

A gamut of citrus brightens the palate, with sweet lemon, puckery lime zest and orangey kumquat layered with white peach and beautiful textures.

Gérard Bertrand 2020 Clos du Temple Languedoc Cabrières

Photo: Gérard Bertrand

Lovely dense fruit aromas open—spiced peach compote, orange-fleshed melon and tropical fruits and flowers. And on the palate, complex fruit and mineral flavors unfold, apricot melding with savory herbs and toasted spice, evolving into crushed rock on a lingering finish.

Ehlers Estate 2021 Sylviane Rosé St. Helena, Napa Valley

Photo: Ehlers Estate

Exuberant, briary berry aromas are underlined with whiffs of river stone, with juicy peach and melon and a kiss of passionfruit perfumed with a little jasmine.

The palate opens with a burst of fruit—tangerine, cherry and stone fruit—balanced with savory herbs. There’s compelling tension, length and structure here.

Domaines Ott 2020 Etoile Provence

Photo: Domaines Ott

Delicate scents of an ocean breeze carry the barest hint of wild strawberries and almonds along with grapefruit and savory herbs.

The wine explodes in the mouth with fascinating textures (a percentage was aged in ceramic vats) and mid-palate weight—bright for all its complexity and richness.

Tropical mango and guava layer under red cherry, berry, and orange peel flavors, with a minerally salinity emerging with pithy, puckery lime zest on a beautifully long and intense finish.

Château Minuty 281 Côtes de Provence 2021

Photo: Chateau Minuty

The Grenache-based rosé (with a little Syrah blended in) is gorgeously balanced between mouth-filling textures and energy.

The nose marries flower garden with orchard, honeysuckle and almond layered with pink grapefruit, peach and tropical fruit aromas.