Sablet is one of the Côtes du Rhône Villages appellations in the southern Rhône Valley in France. This wine from Domaine de la Roubine is a blend of 70% grenache, 25% syrah and 5% cinsault. It has aromas of stalk, rosemary and a green bouquet garnis character. The palate is full bodied, with medium tannins and rich expression, together with high alcohol (15%) and no edges. Ready to drink now. Rating: Good. Website: http://domainelaroubine.com/en/ledomaine.html. Reviewed: June 2020.
This is an interesting blend of McLaren Vale sagrantino and cinsault from d’Arenberg. Restrained in bearing, it opens to aromas of earth, red fruits and iodine. The palate has firm, dry tannins, bitter undertones and an Italian sensibility. Rating: Good. Abv: 14%. Price: $29. Website: darenberg.com.au. Source: Sample.
The number and variety of Provençal rosés available in Australia seems to be increasing. This is the best I have tried recently. A blend of cinsault, grenache, syrah and merlot, it is from the Méditérranée IGP region, which includes the Provence wine region in southern France. The label was founded by some serious names, the founder of Domaine Dujac and Aubert de Villaine. In the glass, the wine has salt, mineral and floral overtones. The palate has good and refreshing acidity. This wine is recommended. Rating: Good. Abv: 12.5%. Price: $20. Website: www.triennes.com.
This Provençal rose (from the Alpes de Haute Provence IGP in France) is so pale it almost resembles a white wine in colour. Grape varieties are not specified. However, this region is known for grenache, syrah and cinsault blends, so this is presumed. Its aromatics remind of gentle florals. The palate is flavoursome with nectarine notes and fresh acidity. A pleasant rose for immediate consumption. Rating: Good. Abv: 13%. Price: $20+.
A blend of syrah (60%), grenache (35%) and cinsault (5%), this is a moreish and enjoyable Vin de Pays d’Oc from the Languedoc region in the south of France. It’s a “vin biologique” too, i.e. organic. In the glass, it is fruity, yet also earthy and savoury. The palate is medium-full bodied, fruity and a touch of tannin. This is very much a high quality Vin de Pays wine. Rating: Good to Very Good. Abv: 14%. Price: $68. Source: Sample.
This is a moreish rosé from Gérard Bertrand from the Languedoc in the south of France. A typical and regional blend of grenache, cinsault and syrah, it has saline and spicy aromatics. The palate is medium-full bodied and has fresh acidity. Lovely drinking. Rating: Good. Abv: 12.5%. Price: $26. Source: Sample.
This is a typical Côtes de Provence rosé from Chateau d’Astros from the south of France. It’s a blend of cabernet sauvignon, cinsault, grenache and syrah, and has been pressed after a short maceration on skins in terms of winemaking. In the glass, it has saline and lightly herbal aromatics. The palate is medium bodied, light of touch and savoury in impression. Rating: Good. Abv: N/A. Price: ~$20 (in half dozen). Source: Sample.
A perfect foil for fresh Barramundi and a side of salad overlooking the water, this is a lovely and typical Provençal rosé from Saint Andrieu. A blend of grenache, syrah and cinsault, it has a fresh aromas of peaches. The palate has good length and a lovely balance. Top quality rosé here. (Region: Provence, South of France, Rating: Good to Very Good, Would I buy it based on this tasting? Yes, Drink: now, Tasted: July, 2017)
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Other vintages reviewed:
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Continuing the rosé discussion, this is a delicious and savoury Bandol rosé from Domaine de Frégate and a blend of 50% mourvedre, 25% grenache and 25% cinsault. Salmon in colour, it has aromatics of spice, with undertones of salt and Turkish delight. The palate is full bodied, with a fresh saline character from its vineyard location literally by the Mediterranean Sea. Yes. Rating: Very Good
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discovervin.com.au
Source: sample
This rosé from Domaine de Cantarelle is a Vin de Pays du Var, which becomes Var IGP (an indication géographique protegée) as of 2014, and is situated in the south of France 50 kilometres from beautiful Aix-en-Provence. There’s a really interesting wine education here just decoding a few label terms! The rosé is a blend of syrah and cinsault and the estate itself is located 310 metres above sea level in hilly surrounds. A pale salmon pink in the glass, this lighter style of rosé has typical regional rosé characters of roses, florals and strawberries.
Rating: Good
Abv: 12%
Price: $24.90
Source: sample
Vendors and website: http://discovervin.com.au
Tasted: 2016