Antica Terra Rose 08

Antica Terra Rose 08 - A rosé like no other, Maggie Harrison's years at cult winery Sine Qua Non show in the magic of the 2008 Antica Terra. Start with the given - that she grew grapes especially for this wine, and that she made it to be her best possible rosé, "whatever it takes." Add fermenting on the skins, aging in oak, and you get a dark, richly textured rosé with the complexity of a fine Pinot noir.

The delicious scent of fresh strawberries and cream have me drooling with anticipation. From the first taste, this rosé captures and demands attention. Fresh strawberry and raspberry fruit mingle with a hint of roses and cherries. The wine seems to expand in the mouth, emphasizing the texture - shot silk on the upper palate, and rich velvet with a swallow. In the long, uplifting, bright finish, there's a hint of minerals and more sweet cream. Wow - a real one of a kind - unforgettable. - Avalon

"From winemaker Maggie Harrison, this rosé is the real deal. A combination of Cherry Grove Vineyard Pommard clone and Antica Terra Dijon 115 clone of Pinot Noir. 33% whole cluster. 5-day cold soak, 8 days on skins, 3 days fermenting, free-run removed from fermenters by gravity. Natural fermentation finished in barrel, full natural malo-lactic fermentation with 6 months aging in 100% French Taransaud and Francois Freres barriques, all of which were third fill.

Moderately deep reddish-orange color. Lovely aromas of fresh strawberries, blood oranges and a touch of white peach and herbs. A substantial rose that is mouth-filling on the attack struting flavors of fresh berries, orange peel and savory herbs with some persistence on the bright finish. Careful not to over-chill so as to retain the enjoyment. This is a stunning wine that even a Pinot Noir purist like myself would be proud to take to any classy restaurant. This wine should put to rest any stigma that has been attached to rosé." - Rusty Gaffney, PinotFile

Antica Terra winemaker Maggie Harrison says: "Our number one goal was to make a rose that was not a simplistic or ill-conceived afterthought but a serious wine with the grace, complexity and depth to rival the greatest rosés in the world."

"I am crazy about this rosé and can talk about it (and drink it!) all day long."