Matthiasson, who is sold out of this (as always), says:
This 2022 Rosé was made from a combination of Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Counoise from the Windmill Vineyard, and Barbera from the Muller Vineyard, both in the Dunnigan Hills. It is as light as a feather, almost floating across the palate, with a beautiful clean finish. Subtle fruits, salty minerality, and refreshing acidity.
Its citrusy aromas and clean flavors will complement the wonderful spring foods that show up on the table as the weather thaws (salads, rabbit, frittatas, peas, favas, green garlic…). Perfect for springtime holiday meals, or enjoying on the porch all summer.
The only professional critic to review this so far, Jancis Robinson, rates it the best vintage ever, saying:
A combination of 34% Grenache, 16% Counoise and 14% Mourvèdre, all from the Windmill vineyard, plus 32% Barbera and 4% other reds from the Muller vineyard. All the fruit was farmed organically. Grapes were whole-cluster pressed, settled in a cold tank for 24 hours then fermented and aged sur-lie in stainless-steel barrels. Malolactic blocked. Never racked, fined or cold-stabilised, but the wine was filtered before bottling.
Palest coppery pink. Smells of white flowers, orange oil and unripe strawberries. Exceedingly silky, with a wonderful redcurrant and orange-peel brightness. The acidity just seems to build and build, leaving you salivating, even as a stony note pervades the finish. Extremely compelling.
It was also the least expensive (and only American) wine to make the Luxist list of “Top Five Rosés of the Year.” They said:
Considered by many to be one of California’s great wine-makers and highly renowned for his white wines, Steve Matthiasson began experimenting with rosé using an assemblage of Syrah, Grenache, Mouvèdre, and Counoise. The grapes that go into the blend are specifically cultivated for rosé – they grow the vines to maintain the fruit’s juiciness, and harvest early to capture vibrancy and brightness. The vineyards are farmed organically and grapes are pressed whole-cluster. The result is a complex and enchantingly versatile wine which pairs effortlessly with almost any dish and makes the perfect drink year round.
As perfect as California rosé – or really rosé anywhere – gets.
