DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Lauren Ashton Cellars Rosé 2016
(Woodinville, Washington) $21

This wine was produced from a blend of Grenache (52%), Mouvedre (20%) and Counoise (28%) harvested from Lonesome Springs Vineyard in the Columbia Valley.

Aroma: Fresh strawberry, raspberry, gooseberry, crab apple, melon, honeydew, orange, vanilla, fresh roses, herbs, mushrooms, fresh hay, spice pod, celery seed, anise, dried spices, absinthe, minerality, musty, earthy, ocean breezes, bright.

Palate: White peach, apricot, stone fruit, cherry, strawberry, berries, unripe raspberry, lemon, banana, Linzer torte, floral, straw, hay, garrigue, nutmeg, white pepper, minerality, stony, spirit-forward, fresh, bold.

Finish: Apple skin, hay, tart, tangy, rounded, smooth, easy.

Double Gold Medal

Bodegas Ontañón
Clarete Rosado 2016
(Rioja, Spain) $10

This wine was made from a blend of Viura (75%) and Tempranillo (25%) grapes grown in loamy clay soil at a high altitude. Following harvest, the grapes were macerated and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats over 11 days.

Aroma: Strawberry, raspberry, cherry, passion fruit, red currant, watermelon, cantaloupe, melon, tropical fruit, candied dried fruit, honey, Chantilly cream, fresh field of flowers, perfume, tea, straw, balsamic, mineral.

Palate: Strawberry, raspberry, cherry, red currant, passion fruit, grapefruit, green melon, watermelon, tropical fruit, fruit-forward, peppercorn, tart, tangy, zesty, effervescent.

Finish: Cherry, strawberry, white berry, fresh, crisp, tart, clean, balanced, fun, fabulous.

Double Gold Medal

Scheid Family Vineyards
GIFFT 2016 Pinot Noir Rosé
(Monterey County, California) $18

Grapes for this wine were picked in the cool, early morning hours and fermented at a cool temperature in stainless steel tanks.

Aroma: Melon, watermelon, kiwi, green apple, guava, peach, grapefruit, citrus, pineapple skin, canned fruit cocktail, sour peach candy, floral, flowers, rose petal, grassy, cut grass, wood.

Palate: Grapefruit, ruby red grapefruit, orange, lime, green melon, peach, guava, citrus, star fruit, rhubarb jam, yellow raisins, floral, grassy, bell pepper, habanero, earthy, fun.

Finish: Strawberry, citric, tart, tangy, rich mouthfeel, ample, balanced, clean, fresh, pleasant.

Double Gold Medal

GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Les Hauts de Janeil
Syrah Rosé 2016
(Pays d’Oc, France) $8

This wine was fashioned from 100% Syrah grapes grown on 30 year old vines. Following fermentation, the wine was aged on its lees (wasted yeast) and fined prior to bottling.

Aroma: White raspberry, strawberry, cherry, plum, pomegranate, watermelon, tropical fruit, subtle stone fruit, bubblegum, cotton candy, field of flowers, rose petals, herbal, cinnamon, spice, earthy, fresh.

Palate: Strawberry, berries, peach, pomegranate, watermelon, citrus, pickled watermelon rind, Sauvignon Blanc, oaky, saline, balanced, soft, tangy, love this, elegant.

Finish: Strawberry, pith of a ruby red grapefruit, leaves fruit (cherry) on your tongue, light acidity, balanced, crisp, refreshing.

Gold Medal

Notorious Pink
Grenache Rosé 2016
(Languedoc, France) $17

Grapes (100% Grenache) for this wine hailed from the south of France, with only mature berries used. Those from the oldest vines were “bled” (saignee method) and those from the youngest vines pressed, with fermentation conducted at low temperatures.

Aroma: Ripe raspberry, strawberry, plum, peach, banana, rhubarb, apple, green apple, citrus, lemon, honey, cranberry cookies, floral, grass, tea, straw, balsamic, chalk, earth.

Palate: Strawberry, apple, peach, plum, honeydew, melon, tangy fruit tart, fruit gum, honey, powdered sugar, tart, crisp, wet river rocks, pleasant acid, residual sugar.

Finish: Watermelon, toasty, pleasant.

Gold Medal

Shinn Estate Rose Hill Rosé 2016
(North Fork of Long Island, New York) $24

This wine was made from a blend of Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and Merlot grapes that were hand harvested (without the use of sulfur at the time of harvest) and fermented with natural yeasts.

Aroma: White peach, peach, plum, strawberry, watermelon, melon, grapefruit, citrus, candied fruit, rose, floral, ice tea, powder, musty, earthy, fresh.

Palate: Strawberry, tart cherry, fresh cherry, white peach, pear, melon, kiwi, apple, tangerine, lemon peel, citrus, rose petals, mint, clean, crisp, effervescent, refreshing.

Finish: Strawberry, watermelon, apple, pear, light peach, flowers, minerality, flavorful, nice, very pleasant.

Gold Medal

Dark Horse Rosé 2016
(Modesto, California) $9

This wine was made of a blend of Grenache (48%), Barbera (16%), Pinot Gris (13%), Tempranillo (12%) and 11% from other selected varietals.

Aroma: Raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, white peach, guava, overripe melon, cantaloupe, watermelon, grapefruit, unripe mango, tutti fruiti, bubblegum, caramel apple, honey, flowers, grassy, mineral, earthy.

Palate: Wild strawberries, red berries, ripe cherry, dried cherry, melon, watermelon, unripe mango, grapefruit, lime, candy, vanilla, sherry touch, muted smoke, tart, tangy, minerality, good acid, good balance.

Finish: Watermelon, melon, citrus, rose petals, green olives, straw, nice, easy, mellow, pleasant.

Gold Medal

Scheid Family Vineyards
Longford 2016 Pinot Noir Rosé
(Monterey County, California) $13

For this wine, hand-harvested grapes were destemmed, lightly crushed and allowed to macerate on their skins before gentle pressing. Fermentation was conducted with select yeast at cool temperature in stainless steel tanks. Following fermentation, the wine was aged in stainless steel tanks for seven months before bottling.

Aroma: Strawberry, raspberry, red berry, peach, apple, citrus, grapefruit, ripe watermelon, overripe honeydew, guava, mango, tropical fruit, candied fruit, honey, raisins, strawberry fields, soft field, rose petals, grassy, hay, minerality, sunshine.

Palate: White peach, peach, nectarine, plum, stone fruit, raspberry, strawberry, berry, cherry, passion fruit, guava, bright grapefruit, lemon, citrus, fresh rhubarb, hard candy, baking spice, peppercorn, grassy, tangy, tart, balanced, nice balance, good full palate.

Finish: Apple, fruity, leather, smoky, oaky, dry wood, tart, consistent, bright.

Gold Medal

Sunstone Vineyards & Winery
Rosè 2016
(Santa Ynez Valley, California) $31

This wine was made from 85% Merlot and 15% Granache by the traditional French “saignee” method, in which wine is slowly drained from the tank within the first 48 hours of the crush. Following fermentation, the wine was aged in French oak before bottling.

Aroma: Cherry, strawberry, apple, tropical fruit, bubblegum, honey, butter, butterscotch, fresh roses, herbs, pickled watermelon rinds, savory.

Palate: Cherry, Bing cherry, citrus, melon, cherry pie, butterscotch, tart, grassy, woody, oak, old wood, barrel, velvet, sherry notes, food friendly.

Finish: Cherry, berry, fruity, butterscotch, tangy, woody, oak, heavy tannins but holds it well, nice intensity.

Gold Medal

VieVité
Rosé Extraordinaire 2016
(Côtes de Provence, France) $19

This wine was made from a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah and Carignan grapes grown in a southerly facing area just west of Saint Tropez – noted for dry, sunny days and cool nights.

Aroma: Green apple, pear, nectarine, berry, white cranberry, citrus, honeydew melon, watermelon rind, cotton candy, butterscotch, caramel, fresh flowers, musty, earthy.

Palate: Apple, green apple, peach, pear, honeydew melon, lime, grapefruit, green bell pepper, slightly sweet, slight spritz, tangy.

Finish: Lemon, lime, citrus, watermelon, fresh fruit, tart, good finish, elegant.

Gold Medal

Cornerstone Cellars
Corallina Rosé of Grenache 2016
(Lodi, California) $30

For this wine, grapes from Sheldon Hills Vineyard were fermented and aged in stainless steel barrels (75%) or neutral French oak (25%).

Aroma: Strawberry, berries, cherry, white cherry, acai, kiwi, watermelon, peach, banana, banana puree, banana liqueur, bubblegum, vanilla, honey, soft flowers, rose, Chantilly cream, vegetal, white stone, earthy, funky, intoxicating, intriguing, almost perfect.

Palate: trawberry, strawberry skin, white berry, white peach, banana, apple, citrus, sour cherries, sweet flowers, cinnamon, straw, minerality, tangy, nice acidity, balanced, fruit hits your tongue, loved it all around, love this one.

Finish: Watermelon, peach skin, tart, deep tobacco, mineral, lingering wood, balanced, fruit lingers.

Gold Medal

Triennes Rosé 2016
(Nans-les-Pins, Provence, France) $15

This wine is a blend of Cinsault (60%), Syrah (18%), Grenache (17%) and Merlot (5%) grapes. It was produced from “free-run” juice following maceration for 2-3 hours and slow fermentation over a month in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats.

Aroma: Peach, apple, pear, white raspberries, strawberry, cherry, honeydew, melon, unripe watermelon, sangria, flowers, rose petal, grass, wet rocks, light minerality.

Palate: Green apple, crisp apple, white peach, strawberry, sour cherry, grapefruit, lemon, citrus, bread, mineral, stony, flinty, acidic, tart, tangy, puckering, clean.

Finish: Sour apple, peach, flinty, eye-openly tart.

Gold Medal

South Coast Winery
2016 Tempranillo Rosé
(Temecula Valley, California) $16

Grapes for this wine were harvested from Carter Estate Vineyard, and fermented totally in stainless steel tanks.

Aroma: Raspberry, strawberry, teaberry, fresh berry, cherry, citrus, watermelon, bubblegum, cotton candy, clover, rose petals, herbal, spice, earthy, barnyard, tobacco, creamy, mineral.

Palate: Cherry, dark berry, plum, watermelon, lemon, citrus, juicy, liquid candy, cinnamon, allspice, raw wood pulp, tart, easy.

Finish: Strawberry, currant, apple, fruity, tart, acidic, semi-sweet, nice, well-balanced.

Gold Medal

Château Maïme
Côtes de Provence Rosé 2016
(Côtes de Provence, France) $20

Grapes for this wine ( 40% Cinsault, 30% Syrah and 30% Grenache) were harvested at night and fermented separately at low temperatures. Following aging of each varietal separately on its lees (wasted yeast), the wine was blended and bottled.

Aroma: Wild strawberries, berries, cantaloupe, lemon rind, rose, white flowers, flower petals, green grass, almond, mineral.

Palate: Raspberries, berries, cantaloupe, unripe pear, lemon, white flowers, herbal, toast, mineral, sharp stones, soft tannins.

Finish: Raspberry, herbal, smoke, earthy, complex, crisp, refreshing.

Gold Medal

Domaine Montrose Rosé 2016
(Languedoc, France) $10

Each grape varietal for this wine (65% Grenache, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah) was fermented separately, then blended and aged in stainless steel vats before bottling.

Aroma: Raspberry, white raspberry, strawberry, bright red fruit, pear, peach, melon, watermelon, lemon, cherry pit, cotton candy, candy-like, honey, fresh roses, grassy, barnyard.

Palate: Cherry, white cherry, strawberry, berry, mango, red currant, tart plum, green apple, melon, grapefruit, lemon, lime, citrus zest, dry wood, tangy, tart, balanced, textured, silky.

Finish: Unripe strawberries, citrus, woody, dry wood, clean, bright, pleasant.

Gold Medal

Fleur de Mer Rosé 2016
(Côtes de Provence, France) $20

This wine is a blend of Grenache (46%), Cinsault (21%), Syrah (15%), Carignane (11%) and other select reds harvested from vineyards noted for dry clay and limestone soils as well as low yields.

Aroma: Strawberry, cherry, watermelon, star fruit, lemon, unripe nectarine, honey, vanilla, lilac, rose petals, dandelions, grassy, straw, celery seed, mint toothpick, pink peppercorn, chalky.

Palate: Strawberry, pear, grapefruit, orange, lemon, grapefruit zest, jammy, vanilla, bell pepper, celery, arugula, spinach salad, pepper, soft sweetness, Sancerre, minerality, wet stones, woody.

Finish: White cranberry, citrus, floral, tart, good acidity, woody.

Gold Medal

Domaine Montrose
Rosé Prestige 2016
(Languedoc, France) $14

This wine is a blend of Grenache (70%), Rolle (25%) and Syrah (5%) with the majority of the blend fermented and aged in stainless steel and a small portion fermented and aged in oak barrels.

Aroma: White raspberry, cranberry, peach, watermelon, kiwi, subtle green apple, apple, citrus, grapefruit, strawberry gum, bubblegum, field of flowers, fresh grass, hay, oatmeal, spice, earthy, ocean, elegant.

Palate: Black cherry, sweet cherry, raspberry, sour strawberry, currant, green apple, citrus, lemon, lime, green pepper, mint, minerality, tart, tangy, slightly effervescent.

Finish: Strawberry, cranberry, lime, red candy, peppers, wood, tangy, bright, clean, yummy, elegant.

Gold Medal

Remy Pannier
Rosé d'Anjou 2016
(St Florent, Loire Valley, France) $11

For this wine, mature grapes (a blend of 50% Cabernet Franc, 40% Grolleau and 10% Gamay) from vineyards in the Nantes and Tourraine regions of the Loire Valley were fermented and aged in temperature-controlled, stainless steel tanks.

Aroma: Peach, white peach, strawberry, raspberry, berry, cherry, cranberry, honeydew melon, citrus, citrus zest, strawberry Jolly Rancher, bubblegum, honey, floral, soft field of flowers, wild roses.

Palate: Raspberry, cranberry, overripe strawberry, plum, pear, sweet nectar, some residual sugar citrus, tangy, woody.

Finish: Cherry, citrus, honey, woody, clean, balanced, pleasant.

Gold Medal

Champs de Provence Rosé 2016
(Côtes de Provence, France) $19

For this wine, hand-harvested grapes (50% Grenache, 40% Cinsault and 10% Syrah) were fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks over 15 days, with the wine then aged on its lees (wasted yeast) for several weeks before blending and bottling.

Aroma: Ripe strawberry, berries, white cranberry, peach, honeydew melon, green melon, green apple, grapefruit, lemon, citrus, bubblegum, wax lips, raw honey, flowery, rose petals, grassy, green leaves, tobacco.

Palate: Yellow peach, pineapple, cantaloupe, melon, bright lemon, tart green apple, green celery, yeast, gamey, meaty, granite, earth, tangy, volatile acidity, fresh, slightly sparkling, effervescent.

Finish: Strawberry, floral, vegetal, sweet, tangy, puckering, clean, focused, bright, lovely.

Gold Medal

Le Grand Noir Rosé 2016
(Pays d’Oc, France) $11

This wine was fashioned from a blend of Grenache (85%) and Shiraz (15%) grapes grown in the Minervois region of Languedoc-Roussillon.

Aroma: Strawberry, raspberry, stone fruit, Bing cherry, red currant, citrus, tropical fruit, banana, asparagus, grassy, basil, baking spice, cedar, earthy, minerality.

Palate: Deep strawberry, cherry, unripe white peach, pear, apple, melon, blue cheese, minerality, tart, tangy, some complexity, mouth-filling.

Finish: Floral, straw, balanced, crisp, savory.

Gold Medal

Charles and Charles Rosé 2016
(Columbia Valley, Washington) $13

Grapes for this wine (60% Syrah, 17% Grenache, 10% Mouvedre, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cinsault and 1% Counoise) hailed from 16 different vineyards, with the greatest amount (14%) from Upland in Yakima Valley.

Aroma: Strawberry, white raspberries, berries, cherries, white cherries, apricot, apple, pear, watermelon, grapefruit, citrus, lime, unripe banana, vanilla, field of flowers, rose petals.

Palate: Clean vine and tree fruits, unripe peaches, apple, green apple, young cherry, citrus, jammy grapefruit, mineral, malic, tangy, zesty.

Finish: Grapefruit, grapefruit skin, citrus, woody, leather, tangy, good for sipping, soft, elegant.

Gold Medal

SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Scheid Family Vineyards
Ryder Estate 2016 Pinot Noir Rosé
(Central Coast, California) $12

Grapes used in making this wine were gently crushed and allowed about 3 hours of skin contact, followed by gentle pressing and fermentation at a cool temperature in stainless steel tanks.

Aroma: Raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, red currant, citrus, grapefruit, watermelon, melon, fresh flowers, rose petals, perfume, jalapeno, herbal, Chardonnay, garrigue, oaky, briny, ocean, classic.

Palate: Apple, peach, tart red berries, sweet cranberries, gooseberries, citrus, watermelon, vanilla, cream, buttery, hibiscus, jalapeno, tangy, pucker, nice acidity, balanced.

Finish: Honeydew, watermelon, apple skin, caramel, woody, good intensity.

Silver Medal

DeMorgenzon
DMZ Cabernet Rosé 2016
(Stellenbosch, South Africa) $13

Grapes for this wine (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) were hand picked from vineyards characterized by well-drained, weathered soil. Following destemming and light crushing, the grapes were fermented and the wine was lightly fined and filtered before bottling.

Aroma: Cherry, cranberry, strawberry, peach, honey, vanilla, butterscotch, caramel, cream, café au lait, coffee, fresh flowers, herbal, pizza herbs, basil, garrigue, bell pepper, Roquefort, olive oil, meaty, chicken roll, cold cut, woody, summer dew.

Palate: Strawberry, watermelon, cherry, cherry pit, citrus, caramel, cake, honey, bell pepper, blue cheese, toasty, woody, oak, tart, tangy, effervescent.

Finish: Apple, sour cherry, lime, honey, grassy, earthy, briny, oak, slightly tart, lean, nice, pleasant, fun.

Silver Medal

Hunter’s
Pinot Noir Rosé 2016
(Marlborough, New Zealand) $12

Grapes (100% Pinot Noir) for this wine were harvested early in the morning, destemmed and allowed to soak on its skins until the desired color was reached. Following this process, the grapes were lightly pressed, fermented at cool temperatures and the wine matured for a short time on its lees (wasted yeast) before filtration and bottling.

Aroma: Exotic berry, strawberry, concentrated berries, cranberry, cherry, white currants, watermelon, melon, grapefruit, lime, guava, rhubarb compote, banana peel, flowery, floral, rose, green peppers, bell pepper, garrigue, mint, earthy.

Palate: White cranberry, cherry, apple, peach, guava, unripe strawberries, citrus, lemon, watermelon, yellow melon, canned pineapple, lemon meringue, juicy fruit, caramel, grass, tangy, tart.

Finish: Sour cherry, orange, clean, tart, nice fresh.

Silver Medal

VillaViva Rosé 2016
(Côtes de Thau, Languedoc-Roussillon, France) $10

This wine was made from 100% Carignan grapes grown in vineyards planted on slopes with a southern exposure, overlooking the Mediterranean – which provided cool daytime breezes to the vines. After harvest and maceration, the grapes were fermented at low temperature from only “free-run” juice.

Aroma: Strawberry, white cranberry, apple, pear, citrus, lime, watermelon candy, bubblegum, caramel, wheat, fresh hay, fresh roses, floral, perfumed, peat, earthy, mineral, elegant.

Palate: Apple, golden apple, pear, star fruit, stone fruit, tart apricot, strawberry, delicate red currants, citrus, lime, green bell peppers, white pepper, tart, tangy, good minerality.

Finish: Melon, citrus, lime, Sweet Tarts, fresh grass, clean, sweet, savory, pleasant.

Silver Medal

Pedroncelli
Dry Rosé of Zinfandel 2016, Dry Creek Valley
(Sonoma County, California) $15

This wine was made from 100% free-run juice from early-picked Zinfandel grapes. Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with bottling a few months after harvest.

Aroma: Cherry, dried cherry, melon, chocolate, vanilla, soft flowers, fresh laundry, perfumed, mint, herbal, grass, hay, minerality, oaky.

Palate: Cherry, Maraschino cherry, cherry skin, strawberry, peach, dried currants, citrus, tart, tangy, cinnamon, buttery, malty, woody, earthy, interesting.

Finish: Citrus, buttery, acidic.

Silver Medal

Château Sainte Marguerite
Symphonie Rosé 2016
(Côtes de Provence, France) $28

This wine was made from Certified Organic Grenache and Cinsault grapes (from vines planted in 1936) in La Londe les Maures – noted for a hot and dry Mediterranean coastal climate. Following harvest and cold skin maceration, grapes were pressed, then fermented in temperature-controlled tanks, with the wine aged on its lees (wasted yeast) and filtered before bottling.

Aroma: Strawberry, peach, banana, rhubarb, subtle cherry, unripe plum, yellow plum skin, watermelon rind, fresh flowers, dandelions, grassy, barnyard, earthy.

Palate: Green apple, melon, light peach, peach skin, grassy, savory herbs, herbes de Provence, straw, tart, good fruit, fresh, balanced.

Finish: Apple, apple skin, acidic, tart, crisp, clean.

Silver Medal

Laroque Rosé 2016
(Cité de Carcassonne, Languedoc-Roussillon, France) $10

This wine was made from 100% Cinsault grapes, with fermentation in stainless steel tanks conducted over 3 weeks at low temperatures, following which the wine was aged on its lees (wasted yeast) prior to bottling.

Aroma: Anjou pear, peach, cherry, cranberry, strawberry, citrus, bright raw rhubarb, watermelon, candied melon, bubblegum, sweet flowers, hay, straw, minerality.

Palate: Strawberry, wild strawberry, raspberry, green apple, tart peach, watermelon, grapefruit, fruit forward, fruit leather, celery, grass, white pepper, minerality, good acidity, soft, bright.

Finish: Red berry, tart, crisp, rich, savory.

Silver Medal

Shinn Estate Vineyards Rosé 2016
(North Fork of Long Island, New York) $16

This wine is a blend of biodynamically grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes fermented in stainless steel tanks.

Aroma: Cherry, dried cherry, strawberry, blackberry, apricot, mango, caramel, vanilla, flowers, lilacs, rose petal, herbaceous, dill, spearmint, olive oil, balsamic vinegar reduction, oak.

Palate: Cherry, raspberry, plum, apricot, black currant, dried fruit, cherry candy, apple cider, roses, herbal, bay leaf, spice, pepper, oak, wet stones, effervescent, bright.

Finish: Watermelon, citrus, soft wood, tannins, unique profile, well-balanced, fun, elegant.

Silver Medal

Domain Road
Pinot Noir Rosé 2016
(Central Otago, New Zealand) $20

Grapes for this wine hailed from vineyards in the Bannockburn Region of Otago. After destemming, gentle crushing and cold soaking (for 2 days), the juice was pressed and fermented so that the wine would retain some natural sugars.

Aroma: Apple, green apple, pear, Anjou pear, peach, apricot, strawberry, cranberry, citrus, lime, fresh fruits, floral, fresh flowers, honeysuckle, Chablis, grassy, forest.

Palate: Peach, white peach, pear, Anjou pear, apple, quince, cherry, cranberry, watermelon, citrus, lemon, herbal, minerality, nice tannins, tart, tangy, zesty, ocean.

Finish: Fruity, balanced, clean, soft, nice.

Silver Medal

Le Roi des Pierres
Sancerre Rosé 2016
(Sancerre, Loire Valley, France) $30

This wine was made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes hand picked from 25-40 year old vines grown in chalky, clay soils. Fermentation was conducted in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by 3-4 months of maturation on its lees (wasted yeast).

Aroma: Raspberries, strawberries, mild red fruit, berries, citrus, grapefruit, honey, fresh flowers, roses, jasmine, spearmint, pepper, musty, barnyard.

Palate: Cherry, pomegranate, mixed berries, currants, stone fruit, green apple, apple skin, sweet grapefruit, lemon, lime, orange peel, rose petal, tisane, tea, wet rocks, tangy, zesty, slightly effervescent.

Finish: White peach, sour apple, wood, tart, savory, persistent.Silver Medal

Scheid Family Vineyards
Scheid Vineyards 2016 Pinot Noir Rosé
(Monterey County, California) $16

Grapes for this wine (100% Estate Grown Pinot Noir) were totally fermented in stainless steel tanks.

Aroma: Strawberry, guava, green apple, red grapefruit, grapefruit, citrus, lemon, lime, candied melon, powdered sugar, cannoli, cinnamon, fresh flowers, roses, grass, earthy.

Palate: Raspberry, strawberry, unripe peaches, watermelon, honeydew, apple, grapefruit, lemon, lime, citrus, tropical fruit, ginger, woody, complex.

Finish: Grapefruit, citrus, fruity, herbs, mineral, balanced.

Silver Medal

Barefoot Rosé 2016
(Modesto, California) $9

This wine was made from a blend of Grenache, Zinfandel and Riesling grapes that were fermented to have a bit of residual sugar and slight fizz.

Aroma: Cherry, berries, strawberry, peach, melon, watermelon candy, caramel, treacle, pie, Chantilly cream, honey, floral, soft flowers, rose petals, clove, fresh.

Palate: Watermelon, strawberries, cherry candy, watermelon Jolly Rancher, treacle, sweet, way tangy, concentrated sugars, sherry notes.

Finish: Apple juice, residual sugar, clean, soft.

Silver Medal

Pierpaolo Pecorari
Ros Alba Rosato 2016
(San Lorenzo Isontino, Friuli-Venezia, Italy) $12

Made from 50% Refosco and 50% Pinot Noir grapes, this wine was fermented and aged (7 months) in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks.

Aroma: Grapefruit, citrus, fresh flowers, herbs, asparagus, green bell pepper, puffed rice, almond skin, burnt popcorn, dusty, musty, earthy, smoke, old wood.

Palate: Watermelon, dragon fruit, lime, citric, herbal, ginger, green pepper, peppercorn, grassy, minerality, effervescent, fizzy, tart, tangy, tart, austere, well-rounded, balanced.

Finish: Lemon, citrus, sour apple, lemon juice, mint, tangy, balanced.

Silver Medal