99 Barrels Derek Rohlffs Santa Lucia Highlands Rose 2017

I don't rave. I complain about young wines, wines that are fruit forward and not complex, wines that aspire, but don't quite get there. This rose is none of those things, and honestly merits the rave. It's the perfect compliment to a summer meal, a comfortably complex, but not overly assertive wine. For rose loevers, or for those who simply need a perfect accompaniement to a grilled chicken breast for an outdoor meal, order cases of the 99 Barrels. Yeah, it's that good. Order lots of them.

I'm not a rosé kind of guy. Let's just get that out of the way. That said, I don't know how did it but you hit this one out of the park. It was in the box unexpectedly and it was beautiful. None of the cloying sweet we usually get with rosé. Tart and fruit forward. Hella bright and smooth through the middle. The citrus is absolutely amazing. It was the brightness that got me. It lights you up!!! Leaves with a light refreshing finish. Like a glass of lemonade on a Georgia summer. I could do this all day. You succeeded in forcing me to like a rosé. Seriously good job.

I confess to having a general aversion to rose wines, probably born of the era I grew up in when they were often cloyingly sweet, and devoid of character. This wine is neither. The first sip defies an effort to classify it as sweet or dry (although it’s closer to sweet), inviting you rather to simply hold it in your mouth and let that long finish play out. Clearly fruit forward, I would suggest this wine for those who prefer only sweet wines as a rule, but would like to expand their horizons. All in all, a lovely summer sipper. Thanks, Derek!

My new favorite rose! I took this to Tahoe and shared with friends on the lake, have a great picture of it! The worst thing about this wine is all my friends loved it that it went so fast! Now I need more!

Pronounced acidity, ripe berry, paired deliciously with both pulled smoked pork and grilled salmon.

Happy Mother's Day!

My Mom and wife agree that my Rose is their favorite wine.

And on this very special day, in homage to both of them, I am excited to announce that my 99 Barrels 2017 Rose of Pinot Noir is now available!

The grapes I used to make this wine come from some of the best vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands where cooling winds and fog allow for perfect ripening, retaining the grapes' natural acidity.

And while I can't name names, the vineyards represent true benchmarks of the Central Coast region, including a few of the most renowned Pinot Noir sites in California.

It's a flavorful and balanced rose, with bright tree fruit and floral aromas, a smooth mouthfeel, light acidity, and a refreshing finish.

I only made a thousand cases and have held back a couple for my Mom and wife, of course. Get yours while you can...it's never around for long.

Enjoy!

Derek

I'm a big Rose' fan, and this is a delightful example - lots of flavors here, and so smooth and easy to drink!

I love this rose!

Was dryer than expected. I prefer a sweet rosè