Maison Saint Aix Rosé (2016)

Notes

The pale salmon color of this wine is particularly inviting on a warm summer day.  The pleasant nose of freshly picked strawberries with distinct notes of watermelon and faint notes of bubblegum mellowed on the palate. To me, the palate was dominated less by fruit than by how it felt in the mouth, a feeling I would describe as slightly mineral. My husband, on the other hand, describes the palate as characterized very much by  strawberry and watermelon with hints of mint. Both of us enjoyed this wine more when chilled below 50° F or 10° C.  Its light body (medium according to my husband) and wonderful balance of acidity and fruit makes this wine a particularly good apéritif  although it could transition to accompany a simple meal.  It is a quaffer par excellence! 

The blend is 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Cinsault and a touch of Carignan. Production is 70% direct press and 30% saignée.