WINE PICKS OF THE WEEK
Le Fleurs du Mal Cevennes Rosé Grenache- Carignan-Syrah 2013
Price $ 15 | Score 86/ 100
UPC: 3495864011212
An “evil fl owers” moniker isn’t likely to make me want to buy this wine, but its pale colour and sapid palate is attractive. Expect a mix of citrus, cherries/ strawberries and light peach on the nose and palate with a clean refreshing fi nish. Charcuterie on the patio works for me.
Mission Hill Rosé Five Vineyards 2013, Okanagan Valley
Price $ 16 | Score 87/ 100
UPC: 00776545995872
Rosé is a technical wine as opposed to something you make with leftover grapes. That’s why Mission Hill seems to nail it every year. Love the pale colour, though it could be paler. The attack is suitably juicy, fresh and fl oral — good value.
Fort Berens Pinot Noir Rose 2013, British Columbia
Price $ 18 | Score 87/ 100
UPC: 00626990125693
Fort Berens always brings a light hand to its wines but we wish it could lighten this pink red colour to really let the wine shine. The colour method is saignée, a bleed that delivers fresh, citrus, raspberry Pinot Noir fruit to the palate. The wine is dry, fresh and mouth- watering.
Bench 1775 Glow 2013, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley
Price $ 20 | Score 88/ 100
UPC: 626990107798
Love the pale, copper/ bronze St. Tropez colour. Traditional wine making has yielded an impressive 11- per- cent rosé that is fun to drink. Look for a zesty palate with strawberries, watermelon, pink grapefruit fl ecked with dried herbs and touch of resiny bitterness in the fi nish.
La Stella Lastellina Rosato 2013, Okanagan Valley
Price $ 19 | Score 87/ 100
UPC: 808755011094
Slightly off - dry but fresh and aromatic, this Merlot/ cabernet franc rosé will appeal to those who like a swoosh of sugar in their pink. The fl avours are mix of candied dark fruits with dried herbs and spice. You can easily enjoy this solo on a hot summer afternoon or evening ( serve well- chilled).
Château d’Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé 2012, Côtes de Provence, France
Price $ 34 | Score 89/ 100
UPC: 760167974190
Sascha Lichine, son of the legendary Alexis and Patrick Leon, former winemaker at Chateau Mouton, are the forces behind this high- end Provence project. Whispering Angel is the introductory label, made to be consumed quickly. It is a delicate, delicious drinking style of rosé.