Elk Cove Pinot Noir Rose Willamette Valley 2009

Happy Saturday all. Summertime screams light fresh vibrant wines to me, and nothing spells summer better than Rose. You know my saying, 'Real Men Drink Pink!' So lets raise our glasses and enjoy a perfect pairing, Rose and Summertime!



Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Noir Rose, Willamette Valley 2009

A well known winery up in Northern Oregon, just south of Portland, a great area for growing pinot noir especially. This Rose is 100% Pinot Noir, pressed off the skins before color extraction, then blended with traditional pinot to color.
Visually the wine is a clear soft pink color, brilliant clarity and shimmer. The wine has a medium level of concentration, showing that the winemaker sparingly added red pinot noir for color and flavor, preserving the freshness of this wine.
Aromas are spot on for pinot noir rose, sweet ripe strawberries, ripe white peaches, and orange blossoms. The florality in this wine is pronounced but balanced, and overall the wine is very clean and precise. It just makes me think about a warm afternoon outside enjoying the company of friends.
The flavors are confirmed on the tastes, but I find more of the peach shining through as the dominant fruit, and the floral tones of white flowers is pleasant indeed. This rose is light in body with high acidty, which helps preserve the cool weather minerality that lingers through.


For a unique memorable pairing, simple grilled calamari bodies accompanied by a summer salad of Sweet Citrus (Blood Orange or Tangerine?) with fennel and radicchio.

Salute!