Happy Valentine’s and all that jazz. I’m not really a big Valentine’s person, but I thought I’d give you a Rosé for the day anyway! We chose the 2007 C. Donatiello Rose. I got this bottle after attending a tasting at C. Donatiello this past fall…so I’m not sure if I should add my standard disclaimer since it wasn’t sent to me as a sample or offered to me as a sample, it was more like a party favor 
Anyway…this wine is not available for purchase. C. Donatiello makes it exclusively for their wine club (and friends I guess!) which makes me even more inclined to want to join their club…hmmm…wondering how I can convince Matt that I NEED more wine…the label doesn’t contain much info, but if I had to guess, I say it was a Rosé of Pinot Noir, since C. Donatiello only makes Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc! The wine clocked in at 14.5% alcohol by volume and had a real cork closure.
On the nose I found cranberry, strawberry, cherry tarts, flowers, lime, and spice. As I drank this wine, I remembered walking in C. Donatiello’s incredibly cool aroma garden and I would love to take a glass of this Rosé and wander around there again. In the mouth I found strawberry, raspberry, slight cream, and some racy citrus…I would almost say lemon.
Aroma Garden at C. Donatiello
I thought the wine showed as slightly creamy, but the fruit came through really tartly. I found the wine to be quite refreshing and it made me long for summer when I can make use of my backyard for BBQs and just lounging on the porch. Actually…this Rosé would be excellent with some spicy BBQ! Though I served it with parmesan crusted baked Tilapia…despite what they say over at Another Wine Blog, I love Tilapia…it’s inexpensive and you can dress it up or down. I find it versatile and it goes quite nicely with a crisp Rosé.
Filed under: C. Donatiello, California, Rose, Wine
I agree in regards to tilapia! It’s incredibly versatile and can be successfully combined with a wide variety flavors. LIke you said, it can be anything from the centerpiece of a fancy, dressed-up meal to the building blocks of a killer plate of fish and chips. I tend to prefer most tilapia dishes with a dry white — a Sauvignon Blanc, maybe — but I have actually found that tilapia and other white fishes do taste really good alongside a nice rosé… maybe a white zin. This is especially so when it’s a bit warm out.
I also agree with you in regards to the appeal of wine clubs. They make wonderful ways to try new wines, build a collection, or really get your hands dirty when it comes to fully exploring a varietal or region that you really like. A lot of clubs do offer exclusives or special deals that you can’t get any other way, as you’ve found out for yourself. Wine club reviews are a wonderful way to find out what’s hot and what’s new. We find, review, and showcase some of the best over at wineclubguide.com — everything from value wines to rarities in any varietal under the sun! Stop by anytime.
Glad you liked the wine. We don’t have a wine club (which is a very long passionate explainatiuon), so the rose is just for friends of the winery and special visitors.
wooo, forgot I had that downstairs. Need to drink that soon!
Nice write up
cheers
John
ooo…I was wondering who would be first to open this party favor!
I’ll go with you recommendation and try to save my bottle for some BBQ!
Thanks Wine Club Insider, I will be sure to stop by!
Hi Chris-I didn’t realize you didn’t have a club! So I guess I’ll just have to visit again so I can buy some more wine!
The weather’s warming up here John!
I popped the cork first Taster B! Still a bit cold up your way though….!