WEEKEND WINE PICKS
Mayhem Rosé 2021, Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley $19.13 I 88/100
UPC: 626990352570
The folks at Mayhem are all about fun, and the 2021 pink delivers despite a challenging growing season across the South Okanagan. It is 100 per cent Merlot-based, destemmed and crushed directly to the press. The extended cold final fermentation mix was 80/11/9 stainless-steel tank, neutral French oak barriques and stainless steel barrique. The colour is pale; the nose is a mix of red berries and sagebrush flecked with subtle orange notes that finish bone dry. Think charcuterie, olive tapenade, grilled vegetables or salmon sashimi.
Tantalus Rosé 2021, Okanagan Valley $23.48 I 90/100
UPC: 626990067382
Fresh, juicy, lively style with a touch more colour than pale, this is an impressive style of rosé that you want to drink with food. The attack is bright and vibrant with a savoury blood orange undertone supporting citrus peel and wild berries, with a saline, stony mineral undertone. An excellent balance of fruity and savoury flavours makes this wine a delight any time of the week. The blend is a 65/35 mix of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Seriously good.
Mission Hill Reserve Rosé 2021, Okanagan Valley $25 I 89/100
UPC: 776545993069
2021 Reserve Rosé grows on estate sites in Osoyoos and Oliver, first planted in 1997. The colour is barely visible, and the nose a subtle rush of watermelon and ripe raspberries. It's bright, light, elegant and simply fun to drink. Best of all, it is fresh and crisp and finished dry. It is made for food such as tapas-like bites. This year, the blend has flipped around to 56 per cent Pinot Noir, 23 per cent Merlot, and 21 per cent Syrah fermented in stainless steel. Good value too. Unprecedented midsummer heat led to the earliest start of harvest and the highest number of growing degree days on record.
La Crema Monterey Pinot Noir Rosé 2020, Monterey County, California $28.99 I 88/100
UPC: 049331816126
Monterey's windy, cool climate has fingerprints all over this picture-perfect pink. The nose offers subtle aromatics of strawberries and watermelon. The fruit remains cool and muted on the palate with pink grapefruit and mandarin that persist lightly through the finish. Serve chilled with young goat cheese, smoked sausage, and a fruit compote. Bring on summer.
Liquidity Rosé 2021, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley $30 I 91/100
UPC: 626990442653
The fruit is grown and picked specifically for rosé to get that juicy acidity and freshness balanced by the perfect level of ripeness. It is all hand-sorted and whole-cluster-pressed with short skin contact time. The result is a mouth-watering, almost dry citrus affair of ruby red grapefruit and delicate wild strawberries. Winery chef Phil Tees suggests pairings of ahi sashimi or a summer berry and spinach salad. A significant upgrade over 2020; stock up.