INSIDER'S PICK: 2016 AMEZTOI GETARAIKO TXAKOLINA ROSE 'RUBENTIS' (Vinous 91points) $22.99

With the weather getting cooler many people start to get out of rose drinking 'season', transitioning to a steadier diet of reds for heartiness instead of refreshment. But we always try to keep a reasonable supply of quality roses around throughout the year, especially ones that have good durability to them. This unique offering from the Basque portion of Spain near Bilbao is one of the more isolated regions culturally and socially, so their wines did not have much exposure to the world. Over the last few decades the region has become a culinary powerhouse, and the awareness of the wines has increased as well, mostly because of their indigenous grapes Hondarrabi Zuri (white) and Hondarrabi Beltza (red), which have virtually no representation anywhere else in the world.. These two grapes provide bright high acidity wines that marry perfectly with the bountiful seafood and locally raised lamb or pork dishes. And this Rose is an equal blend of those two grapes in the style of many classic Provencal wines, so you get the chance to experiment with both at the same time.

Bright salmon pink in the glass, the aromas are pure fresh cut strawberries with hints of an underlying citrus fruit and lime peel note, an intermingling of the white and red grapes' aromas on their own. The white wines are known for an almost Vinho Verde level of pinprick sized bubbly texture, but here the wine is still in the glass with all the vibrancy coming from the bright acidity. The palate if full for a rose, with flavors oscillating back and forth between light red tones and green citrus ones. Refreshingly bright and tangy throughout, this has the complexity to be enjoyed well into the colder months.

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