WINE EMERGENCY!

Act NOW to acquire a ridiculously delicious rosé just in time for summer.

As many of my readers know, I am no fan of rosé wine. Through sheer experience I've come to view the entire category of rosé as a failed attempt to combine the qualities that make red wine great with the qualities that make white wine great in a single sip... and, like most human attempts to improve upon nature, we usually wind up with something exhibiting the scientist's looks and the supermodel's intellect.

But now, Dear Readers, I have stumbled upon a ridiculously delicious rosé just in time for summer-- a perfect poolside sipper, and also something to pair with salads, grilled fish, barbecue, and just about anything else one eats during the hot summer months.

Behold! de Négoce Lot 549-- 2024 Anderson Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir.

Here is the description from the de Négoce website:

The landscape we’re navigating right now can be described as a sensational target-rich environment – there have been few times over the past two decades when so many top-end producers were keen to deal. It may be a moment of extreme uncertainty in the industry, but we’re here to curate the gems amidst the flood and help you navigate the waters as value-conscious consumers. Take today’s offer, for instance – it’s one of those rare, hyper-expressive wines that’s long been on our staff’s “personal favorite, but it’ll probably never be available for the Lot program” list. Not anymore – one of the finest Rosé wines on the entire North Coast is available today for under $14 a bottle!

"Like Napa and Sonoma, Mendocino left quite a bit of fruit on the vine last year in response to oversupply – a shame, given the superb quality of the vintage. However, the grapes harvested were often the crème de la crème of their vineyards, and there’s a broad sentiment by winemakers across the North Coast that the 2024s are fabulous across the board. Conditions were terrific: a stormy winter helped recharge the soils, and the growing season progressed smoothly through spring and early summer. A July heat wave accelerated ripening (boosting concentration), while the return of mild temperatures through September allowed the fruit to develop deep, layered complexity.

"Lot 549 is a single-vineyard phenomenon. Committed to making Rosé at the highest level, this family winery selects Pinot Noir from a hillside vineyard tucked away in the heart of Anderson Valley. Glowing a bright blush in the glass, it’s a tenacious wine boasting immense fruit character and the appellation’s signature acidity. It’s certainly one of the best Rosé wines we’ve had the pleasure of tasting over the past year, and a deserving pick for the first we’ve ever secured from Anderson Valley. Sold for $35/bottle under the original label, this beauty is yours for OVER 60% OFF.

Our price: $159/case DELIVERED, $13+/bottle to your door!

"The winemakers behind this Rosé craft it with the same level of care typically reserved for high-end red and white wines, and it shows. From vine to bottle, this is a complete, compelling wine. Its charisma starts in the vineyard, where masterful growers coax the absolute most of their terroir. Meticulously sorted, only the finest bunches of fruit are hand selected. Gently macerated before pressing and fermentation in stainless steel, the process is simple and exacting, but yields an inimitable result.

"Lively aromas of hibiscus and rose hips mingle with dried green herbs, lifted by a core of juicy red berries and fresh-cut strawberries. The palate is dry and precise, driven by minerality and high-tone fruit and buoyed by subtle spice and wet river stones. The finish is incredibly clean and refreshing, echoing mouthwatering strawberry, herbs, and delicate floral nuances. This is the perfect Rosé for any season."

So say the folks who want to sell this to you. Sounds a little... exaggerated? A little... over-the-top, perhaps? Maybe too good to be true? I thought so too, but my mother-in-law LOVES rosé, so I ordered some and tried it out for her. I would certainly NEVER pay full price ($35!) for this or any other rosé, but I can personally attest that this wine is A.) incredibly delicious; B.) a fantastic value at the de Négoce price of < $14/bottle, delivered; and C.) an extremely time-sensitive deal. So, if you are interested, click HERE to buy it, and soon... because this link will likely expire in less than a week!

UPDATE: This deal expired on 05/30 at 5:00PM Pacific time. However, this wine will likely re-appear sometime soon in de Négoce's "Bottle Shop" at a slightly higher price.

Notes:

I've written at length about the de Négoce company before; see How to Buy $60 Wine for $20, The Party’s Over, and Not So Fast.

Rosé wine as described here must not be confused with Brut Rosé Champagne or Sparkling Wine. I've always loved pink bubbly; in fact, the sip of wine that first captivated my imagination and put me on a path in the wine trade was the original formulation of Domaine Chandon Blanc de Noirs.

The Anderson Valley is a cool pocket in western Mendocino County, close by California's Pacific coast and 100 miles north of San Francisco. In the past three decades this sub-region has garnered recognition as the northern extreme of California's prime wine-growing region, especially for Pinot Noir-- as standard-issue reds, rosés as described above, and sparkling wines.