The 2010 Hey Mambo Kinky Pink is a Rose’ of Pinot Noir produced by The Other Guys, a branch of the famous Sebastiani wine family. With a name like Hey Mambo Kinky Pink, you would think this a frivolous, trifle of a wine, but what you are getting is actually a single vineyard, relatively small production Pinot Noir Rose’, from the Clarksburg AVA (near San Fransico Bay) composed of three different Pinot Noir clones. Two of the grape clones were produced in one Rose’ style and the third was produced using a French production technique, then the two different styles were blended together. They added 2% Chardonnay to the Pinot Noir to give it firmer body and a lush mouthfeel. It seems Hey Mambo did away with the Kinky Pink name for the 2012 vintage, they still offer a very similar wine, but it is now simply labeled Dry Rose’. The alcohol content is a sturdy 13.5%.
The color is a juicy, ripe, but pale watermelon red. The nose is different, raspberry lemonade, cantaloupe, cherry hard candy, with a hint of magnolia. It tastes of subdued raspberry jam (without all the sugar), watermelon, lime and soft cherries in cream. The acidity is strong but balanced and the finish does last a while.
The 2010 Hey Mambo Kinky Pink is pink but not very kinky, it is more of a soft, balanced aperitif Rose’ than a Rose’ that is wickedly kinky. It is fine as a summer cooler or for a light Brunch, it is just that the name suggests more than it delivers, which might be the reason for the name change in 2012.
