Arnot-Roberts Rose 2024, CA

Appellation (AVA): California

Vineyard: Luchsinger Vineyard (Clear Lake AVA), St. Amant Vineyard (Sierra Foothills), St. Jorge Vineyard (Mokelumne River AVA)

Grapes: 85% Touriga Nacional, 15% Trincadeiro

Soil: Luchsinger Vineyard - rocky volcanic, St. Amant - sandy granitic loam, St. Jorge - granitic alluvial soils.

Vinification: Hand-harvested, lightly crushed by foot to release some color prior to pressing. Fermented with native yeasts and full native malolactic in all stainless steel tanks, then blended together to harmonize prior to bottling in early January.

Tasting Notes: With a brilliant, crystal-clear Sockeye salmon pink hue, the nose is an explosively seductive aromatic experience. The Touriga reveals all its charm: violet candy, jammy dark fruits, a hint of gummy bears, with a backdrop of lavender and wild garrigue herbs. The palate is anything but shy: warm, enveloping, almost provocative, with a fleshy texture reminiscent of fresh watermelon flesh, white peach, and red fruit lemonade. The finish is marked by a lovely acidity and a well-balanced saline touch as if sea breezes had kissed the grapes.

Service and Food Pairing Suggestion: Serve chilled. Pair with Cajun-spiced grilled shrimp, charred calamari with parsley and garlic, Old Bay-spiced boiled crawfish, pasta salad with smoked ham and cucumber, all kinds of spicy Asian cuisine, or even a cold roast pork sandwich with mustard, salted butter, and sundried tomato jam.

Sustainable. 750. 12% alcohol by volume

Read our blog post about this wine here: Touriga Nacional The Noble Soul of the Portuguese Vineyard, Planted in California