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89POINTS
16¼/20
Rathjen Cellars Sparkling Rosé NV
Saanich Peninsula, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaMike Rathjen made 75 cases of this inaugural traditional method rosé and released 25 cases worth in February 2020. This pinot noir came from 25-year-old organically farmed vines from Saanich's Brambleside and Starling Lane Vineyards, and the 2017 and 2018 vintages. After a 4-5 hour skin contact soak, the base wines fermented native in neutral barrels with no MLF kicked off secondary ferment in the bottle with primary fermenting lees and organic sugar and then aged on the lees (this second release for 18 months) before bottling unfined and unfiltered, with no dosage. Sour cherry, young raspberry, rhubarb ring through the tight palate with a cranberry tartness, and lingering salted smoke finish. Bone dry, the body is light, the fruit slender, and the acidity brisk, precisely as the Wine Islands should be. Rathjen is one of a handful of passionate WineIslands advocates and explorers, redefining this unique region.Tasted: 30 April 2020Tasted by: Treve RingPrices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml | winery direct |
Grape: Pinot NoirCSPC: 23229UPC: 626990419440
