INSIDER'S PICK: 2015 DOMAINE LA BLAQUE ROSE PIERREVERT $15.99

While many Rose wines start arriving in April or May, the 'real' season doesn't truly start until June, when the Summer heat takes hold day after day after day, and the most interesting artisan bottlings have all made it over to our shores and had a chance to settle in. Even though the Rose style is by its nature made in a fairly quick process, the better ones are still made by those that are more patient, and often those producers that are eager to be the first ones in the market can end up with a more lackluster wine. This wine from one of the more interior sections of Provence has been a big store favorite over the last several vintages, and even though it's a little later to the party it is always worth the wait.
Extremely pale salmon color in the glass in the classic Provencal presentation, the aromas show off this estate's ability to intermingle both red and white characters in the same wine. Several vintages back, the Wine Advocate's review of their estate red contained tasting notes with both 'black cherry and raw beef liver' AND 'savory shrimp shell' comparisons; a favorable review of 90 points, at that. While the Rose isn't that big of a paradox, the blend of red grapes (Syrah Grenache, and Cinsault) and white (Vermentino) bring both strawberry and seashell tones to the same glass and make it work well. The palate has great roundness thanks to the time taken early on to draw every bit of texture possible, bringing out a long dry watermelon and fruit leaf finish. Complex enough to pair with lots of foods, even things with some spice, as well as worth chilling down and enjoying on its own for all the unique nuances.

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