2016 Domaine de Rimauresq Côtes de Provence Cru Classé Rosé

Vivid orange-pink. White peach, melon and raspberry scents are enlivened by a jolt of orange zest and a dusty mineral flourish. Supple and focused on the palate, offering juicy strawberry, nectarine and orange flavors that tighten up slowly with aeration. Finishes long and sappy, displaying very good clarity and a resonating mineral note. Drink 2017 - 2021. (JR)

Rimauresq is an historic property that sits at the foot of the Massif des Maures mountain range. Their microclimate is influenced by the surrounding hills creating a unique terroir that is cooler than many of the other neighboring properties. That and the varied soils of sand and gravel create wines with great tension and nuance. With all of these things, one can see what makes this property so special. When I first tasted this wine early in the season (beginning of March), I was taken with the layered structure. It showed more like a Bandol rose with light color and superb balance. It was still a little tight though but the potential was amazing. Now it's June and I revisited the wine and after a little relaxing in bottle this rose has achieved everything I could have hoped for. There is a firm raspberry backbone with the texture of white cherry and a hint of fresh bay leaf on the palate. The wine has real depth and structure with mouth watering acidity and nerve. This is no soft and fruity rose, this is serious stuff... but not to be taken too seriously. It is rose after all and enjoyment is its primary function. This is a case buy for sure with bottles to be enjoyed for this year and well into the next.