The 2010 Domaine Les Aphillanthes Cote-du-Rhone Rose’ is a blend of 60% Cinsault, 20% Grenache, 15% Counoise (a Rhone red grape used in blends) and 5% Mourvedre sourced from Estate bio-dynamic vineyards in the Southern Rhone Valley in France. A Rose’ is red wine grapes made in a white wine style, the grape skins are left in with the grape juice for a short period of time to give the wine a pale red color, but none of the tannins. The wine is aged in open vats and the alcohol content 13%.
The color is the sort of pink that every 13 year girl wants her room painted. There is a light fragrant nose, fresh strawberry, watermelon and the faint scent of a walk thru a flower garden. It both crisp and creamy, light delicate strawberry, smooth melon, with a nice touch of minerality and raspberry tea on the mid-palate. Nicely balanced acidity runs thru out the wine and the finish is light but lengthy.
The Domaine Les Aphillanthes is a very well-made, classy, refreshing, flavorful Rose’. Go sit out on the porch or balcony in the evening, put your feet up, pop the top on this Rose’, kick back and relax, that’s what Rose’ is made for.
