2015 Soleil Rouge Rosé de Pinot Noir
We know that spring has finally arrived when we bottle Soleil Rouge – it is also an important preview of the most recent vintage. It is time to fill our cellars with wonderful Rosé from Bandol, Tavel, and Marsannay in Burgundy. Rosé celebrates the arrival of summer: The brilliant sun ripened tomatoes, vegetables, fruits and fragrant herbs that will be part of our many summer feasts with friends at our table.
Rosé Returns from Exile
How did treasures like Chablis or Rosé become slang for cheap jug wine? We call it the California Curse, a modern tragedy. Our story begins with Chablis, the incomparable Grand Cru White Burgundy epitomized by Raveneau, Fevre and Savary. That’s a nice name, how about putting some undrinkable “Chardonnay juice” in a green jug with a twist cap and voila! Mission accomplished, Chablis is now mouthwash. A more tragic scene follows for Chablis’ cousin the great Rosé wines of Provence, Tavel, Anjou and Marsannay in Burgundy, made famous by Domaine Tempier, Ott, et al. Our hero is upstaged by the arrival of the “California blush wine.” Wineries used their spoiled grapes for Rosé and left sweetness in the wine, hoping to cover the rotten flavors. NO Thank You!! Adding insult to injury, our story concludes when a large producer introduces “sweetened” (yeah, right) “Pink Chablis.” For some wines, it is never time…
Fortunately, the reputation of these amazing wines have been rescued by Monsieur Kermit Lynch in Berkeley who had the vision and tenacity to bring us Domaine Tempier and Raveneau. Merci Monsieur Lynch et a votre sante.
2015 Soleil Rouge Rosé de Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
We always look forward to this time of year to celebrate the arrival of Soleil Rouge – our crisp, vivacious refreshing Rosé with complexity and balanced acidity that, we will promise you, will not last long in our cellars. The only thing better than a chilled glass of Rosé, is another glass of Rosé, followed by a glass of Soliste Pinot Noir. Share the joy.
Soleil Rouge is “Le Vin des Amis” – fresh, lively, served chilled to warm your heart and fill you with joy and conviviality. Enjoy with charcuterie, oysters, or our favorite, fire pit paella. Just a few cases are available – this year we will work even harder to drink them all first!
Tasting Notes
The Soliste pinot noir heritage is unmistakable: Palest peach color in the glass; Exotic and bright aromas of Strawberry Rhubarb, dry raspberries, and Rose Petals, very floral and mineral. The elegant palate delivers a creamy texture of Fraise des Bois (wild strawberries), pomegranate, red currant, and pink grapefruit. The chalky minerality layered with stone fruit pit and green almond aromatics creates an explosive crispness to compliment the bright tangerine acidity and nervy finish. Elegance, finesse, vivacity, freshness...Soliste.