We are back with Bordeaux and Rosato

After a short hiatus, the four friends are BACK and ready to discuss a couple of bottles of wine! Thanks for all your kind words and encouragement; we are so flattered that you missed us.

Two months without wine tasting made us thirsty and eager to get to work so we made the unexpected choice of a spot best known for craft beer: Aurora Brewing Co. on Ulster Street in the Tipp Hill neighborhood of Syracuse. Soon they may also be known for their small but superior wine selection but more about that later.

As we arrived, Tim, our friendly bartender, made us feel welcome. A pleasant live guitar performance along with luscious pizza added to the cozy appeal. After a lengthy discussion, we decided to taste a Bordeaux and a Rosato.

Bordeaux is a region of France, located on the west coast near the Atlantic Ocean, which produces both red and white wines and is known for highly experienced and talented winemakers. A red Bordeaux often incorporates several different red grape varieties including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and, with less frequency, Malbec and Carmenere. According to wine expert Tim Sykes, “Bordeaux is the largest vineyard of fine wines in the world. It is a vast region with a great range of wines among the lesser known appellations as well as among the cus clases. The diversity in character and style is due to the varied soils and climate and to the care and ability of the people who make the wine.” Tim Sykes, “The Ultimate Guide to Bordeaux Wine,” The Wine Society, June 22, 2020.

The bottle we tried – Les Gravieries de la Brandille – is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. The Borderie family has operated Chateau Les Gravieries vineyard in Saint-Emilion for five generations, which leads to consistent quality and value. They are known for medium-bodied wines with earthy undertones, plum and herbal flavors, and structured tannins that provide a savory finish.

Turning to the Rosato, this wine is what Italians call their Rosé. According to Marisa A. Ross, writing for Bon Appetit, Italian Rosato is “made in the same methods as any other rosé, but it’s unlike any other rosé because it is often made with indigenous grapes rarely seen outside of Italy.” Marissa A. Ross, “I Freaking Love Rosato Right Now,” Bon Appetit, May 31, 2017 (emphasis in original). While most rosés are made from a combination of Grenache, Syrah, and Pinot Noir, Italian Rosato uses a different combination of red grapes including Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Barbere, Nerello Mascalese, and Canaiolo which, according to Ross, “creates fruit forward and savory Rosatos that are fuller in flavor, but just as easy (and delicious) to drink.” Id.

We tried the San Salvatore Vetere Paestum Rosato 2024 produced in the Campania Region, which is in the southwest part of Italy near the Mediterranean coast. The organic winemaker is committed to avoiding synthetic products or genetically modified organisms and focuses on environmentally conscious growing practices.

Let’s turn our attention to the tasting. To recap, our novice approach to tasting: none of us is a wine expert but we know what we like and are happy to share our unbiased opinion with you. To keep things consistent, we developed our own unique rating system: pass, glass, bottle, case; you can interpret it as 1, 2, 3, and 4 stars.

2020 Les Gravieries de LaBrandille Bordeaux Superior

(Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France)

All four tasters liked this wine. Both Kathy and Pam pointed out the wine’s light body and smooth flavor. Kathy went on to describe the taste as “smooth and crisp with a pop at the end.” Carolyn also enjoyed the balanced flavor with a hint of acidity at the end. Although not a fan of reds generally, even Kate enjoyed the delicious flavor.

Retail Cost: $13 per bottle

Winemaker: Chunky red with currant, wet-earth and bark aromas and flavors, medium bodied with some substantial tannins. Made of 65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc.

Rating: BUY A CASE

2024 San Salvatore Vetere Rosato

(Campagnia, Italy)

Everyone liked this bottle as well. Finding this light pink wine “very drinkable,” Kate particularly enjoyed the light floral tones and hint of red berry fruit flavor. Similarly, Kathy enjoyed the light crisp taste. Both Kate and Kathy noted the light color. Pam noted the light, dry, and easy to drink essence and both Carolyn and Pam recognized the unusual and appealing shape of the bottle itself. Carolyn considered it a plus that the wine is organic.

Winemaker: Made from organically grown grapes, this Italian Rosato has red berry and citrus notes and great depths, all resulting in a most compelling wine, crisp and bright with great intensity yet low in alcohol.

Retail Cost: $28 per bottle

Rating: BUY A CASE

Cheers to all,

Kate, Kathy, Pam, Carolyn, Eileen and Dottie

Carolyn Brown