2024 Sean Thackrey "Pleiades" Mendocino County Sangiovese Rosé

I really loved the 2024 rose from Thackrey. In fact, it might have been my favorite in the line up at a recent tasting. Hailing from the historic Gibson Ranch in McDowell Valley in Mendocino. This ranch is home to some of the oldest vines in California dating back into the 1880s. The vineyard is CCOF certified organic. The Sangiovese is picked just on the early side of ripeness to keep nice fresh acidity. The fruit is gently crushed and left on skins for 8-9 hours to pick up a gentle pink hue. The juice is then gently pressed off and fermented in stainless steel. I think this wine really hits the mark of balancing fruit with acidity. Many rose wines can be overtly fruity. Others are very racy and austere. This wine walks the perfect line between the two. Enough fresh, vibrant, alpine strawberry and crushed raspberry fruit to taste great on its own, but with a lovely spiced citrus peel and cranberry tartness to stay dry and food friendly. Beautifully done, a house wine for me this summer.