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 |
Wannabe Wino Wine Blog 
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….!