Gilbert Cellars
Wahluke Slope Rosé Blend
Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
Spotted this at a local wine merchant, a dry rosé with a screw cap, so it has to be good (being serious here, not ironic). 52/48 Mourvèdre Grenache blend, inspired by Bandol style, the label says. Light pink with orange iridescence, very good clarity. Rose petal and sage notes in nose. Rose and underripe tangerine flavors, modestly fruity with slightly mineral finish. Moderate skin astringency on finish. Fairly dry, though fruitiness may confuse some into thinking there is sweetness there (residual sugar is nearly non existent). Good acidity and almost rounded mouthfeel, though tannins make the mouthfeel a tad rough. Some nice complexity in the flavor profile; it avoids the strawberry, watermelon and bubble gum flavors most common among rosés from the Pacific Northwest. 24 hours later, a sour underripe plum flavor emerges on the finish and aftertaste.
Spotted this at a local wine merchant, a dry rosé with a screw cap, so it has to be good (being serious here, not ironic). 52/48 Mourvèdre Grenache blend, inspired by Bandol style, the label says. Light pink with orange iridescence, very good clarity. Rose petal and sage notes in nose. Rose and underripe tangerine flavors, modestly fruity with slightly mineral finish. Moderate skin astringency on finish. Fairly dry, though fruitiness may confuse some into thinking there is sweetness there (residual sugar is nearly non existent). Good acidity and almost rounded mouthfeel, though tannins make the mouthfeel a tad rough. Some nice complexity in the flavor profile; it avoids the strawberry, watermelon and bubble gum flavors most common among rosés from the Pacific Northwest. 24 hours later, a sour underripe plum flavor emerges on the finish and aftertaste.
Sep 21st, 201952% Mourvèdre 48% Grenache. Pale yellow white (no pink? Arguably, no), excellent clarity. I get strawberry, melon and stone fruit aromas but the label says rose petal aromatics, which is in the ballpark. Good acidity, not quite bone dry, mostly peach and citrus flavors with a strawberry aftertaste. Slight to moderate skin astringency, a minor flaw for me but otherwise quite nice for a dry Rosé
52% Mourvèdre 48% Grenache. Pale yellow white (no pink? Arguably, no), excellent clarity. I get strawberry, melon and stone fruit aromas but the label says rose petal aromatics, which is in the ballpark. Good acidity, not quite bone dry, mostly peach and citrus flavors with a strawberry aftertaste. Slight to moderate skin astringency, a minor flaw for me but otherwise quite nice for a dry Rosé
1 person found it helpfulAug 11th, 2020
At the old PCC and figured, "a pre-father's day, rosé?", saw this said, "Yup." Gilbert Cellars comes from a well known Washington family who have been farming the Yakima Valley for over 115 years, 13 years of which releasing wines - this one hailing from Wahluke slope. Wahluke slope AVA is a sub-appellation of the Columbia Valley AVA. It is a hot and dry climate which favors Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, neither of which are present in this blend. This rosé is a Bandol inspired blend of 80% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache - so right off the bat, you know it's gonna be punchy, but at 12.1% alcohol, it's pleasantly dry. Drink this one on a warm afternoon this summer and let your troubles melt away. ~$18 | #rosé #gilbertcellars #wahlukeslope
On the eyes: Pale salmon-peach, starbright, med- stain, med- tears, no gas/floc.
On the nose: Lychee, rhubarb, fig leaf, wet slate, med- alcohol.
On the tongue: Med+ acid, med tannin, med- alcohol, med body, off dry, a bit tight. Bright unripe strawberry, white peach, hints of cranberry, touch of mineral on the way down. Not a particularly long finish - but rosés like this are meant to be thirst quenching not masterpieces.
At the old PCC and figured, "a pre-father's day, rosé?", saw this said, "Yup." Gilbert Cellars comes from a well known Washington family who have been farming the Yakima Valley for over 115 years, 13 years of which releasing wines - this one hailing from Wahluke slope. Wahluke slope AVA is a sub-appellation of the Columbia Valley AVA. It is a hot and dry climate which favors Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, neither of which are present in this blend. This rosé is a Bandol inspired blend of 80% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache - so right off the bat, you know it's gonna be punchy, but at 12.1% alcohol, it's pleasantly dry. Drink this one on a warm afternoon this summer and let your troubles melt away. ~$18 | #rosé #gilbertcellars #wahlukeslope
On the eyes: Pale salmon-peach, starbright, med- stain, med- tears, no gas/floc.
On the nose: Lychee, rhubarb, fig leaf, wet slate, med- alcohol.
On the tongue: Med+ acid, med tannin, med- alcohol, med body, off dry, a bit tight. Bright unripe strawberry, white peach, hints of cranberry, touch of mineral on the way down. Not a particularly long finish - but rosés like this are meant to be thirst quenching not masterpieces.
Wow this is the best rosé I've had this year (gasp!) - sweet fruit nice and crisp and no bite at all. 12.2% alcohol. Drank the whole bottle and found myself inspired. No hangover!
Wow this is the best rosé I've had this year (gasp!) - sweet fruit nice and crisp and no bite at all. 12.2% alcohol. Drank the whole bottle and found myself inspired. No hangover!
1 person found it helpfulJul 12th, 2015
Dry for a rosé, with fig and kiwi flavors. Light at 12.2% alcohol.
Dry for a rosé, with fig and kiwi flavors. Light at 12.2% alcohol.
Jul 12th, 2016
Floral Fragrance on the nose, silky smooth mouth feel, only a hint of sweetness. Very nice.
Floral Fragrance on the nose, silky smooth mouth feel, only a hint of sweetness. Very nice.
Apr 6th, 2018
Crisp as James Bond's Tux, and dry as his Bon mots, as he dispatches villains. Perfect for a summer evening, having dinner with your wife, or thwarting Dr. No. 13th Anniversary with Joanna. Valley Cafe, Ellensburg.
Crisp as James Bond's Tux, and dry as his Bon mots, as he dispatches villains. Perfect for a summer evening, having dinner with your wife, or thwarting Dr. No. 13th Anniversary with Joanna. Valley Cafe, Ellensburg.
Jul 20th, 2016
Incredibly light. Nice finish, needs a little more body.
Incredibly light. Nice finish, needs a little more body.
May 19th, 2016Nice and light. Would drink it again.
Nice and light. Would drink it again.
Apr 28th, 2015
Lovely rosé. Easy to drink. Nice and fruity.
Lovely rosé. Easy to drink. Nice and fruity.
Mar 27th, 2015