Ream's first rosé wine, which will revive the tragic year of 2020, is a miracle wine made from premium red wine varieties harvested in late August (early harvest!) brought to us by Mother Earth. The 2023 rosé is also a miracle rosé made from premium red wine varieties harvested in late October, reflecting the year 2023, when Mother Earth was able to wait until late to harvest (it's too late to make rosé!). The vibrant and concentrated taste of the 12.9% alcohol content stands out, and the gorgeously fragrant taste is impressive and memorable.
A late-harvest pressed rosé wine reflecting the record-late harvest in 2023
This wine is made from 90% Merlot from our own Fairla Vineyard in the cool Coombsville, south of Napa Valley, and 10% Charbonot* from the warm Calistoga, north of Napa Valley, which is rare but has been attracting attention for its unique characteristics in recent years. Harvested in late October. Normally, a late October harvest would be thought of as grapes for rich premium red wine, but 2023 was a miraculous vintage with record-slow growth, cool days from spring to summer, no summer heat waves, and no autumn rain. The sugar content slowly increased, the skins and seeds slowly ripened, and the acidity did not decrease, resulting in very high quality grapes.
As a wine that represents this miracle, we decided to make a direct-pressed rosé, following the example of the first release in 2020. Compared to the 2020 rosé, which was a trial and error process, the 2023 rosé shows ripe fruit and a deep color, but this wine was never intentionally made; it was a wine that Mother Nature gave us the opportunity to make.
＊Charbono: A variety originally grown in Savoy, France. It was brought to the United States in the 19th century, and is grown in small quantities in Calistoga, Napa Valley. It is a rare variety that is used for blending, as it has a rich fruit flavor but can keep the alcohol content low.
It will have the same bottle and label as the 2020 La Fe Rosé, which was released in small quantities in 2021. The name will take over from Precious Twin, which will be re-released in 2022. The name comes from the Mayan feathered serpent god depicted on the label, who was worshiped as a pair or twin.
The color is deep salmon pink. The glass overflows with a lively citrus aroma, strawberry, raspberry, and floral aroma. The taste is spicy and herbal (fennel, white pepper, bouquet garni) and has a complex mix of elements, giving it depth. Medium-bodied, with excellent acidity and a tight, firm finish at 12.9% alcohol. The aftertaste is also pleasantly spiced and red berry.
label
This work was created by Silvia Ji, the label designer for Ream's Sauvignon Blanc "Fedelio," who created the label, depicting a beautiful angel taking flight, after fully understanding the concept of this rosé. It is inspired by Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent god of the ancient Aztec civilization of Mexico, or "God of the Dawn." The design represents rebirth and the morning star, and is colorfully colored to match the image of the rosé, and also depicts the golden rays of the sun, a symbol of Aztec culture. The original work is painted with acrylic and gold leaf on birch wood. (In the Mayan civilization, he is also the incarnation of a snake, worshipped as Kukulcan.)
Vintage: 2023
Capacity: 750ml
Type: Rosé
Taste: Medium bodied
Main variety: Merlot 90%
Blend Variety: Charbono 10%
Country of Origin: America
Region Name: California
AVA: Napa Valley
Vineyards: Merlot: Fairla Vineyards (Coombsville, co-owned by Ream); Charbonneau: Calistoga
Note: Special wine, limited quantity available, limited stock
Winemaker: Benoit Touquette
Winemaking: Gentle pressing without heavy pressure, fermented and aged at low temperatures in stainless steel tanks. Rosé made in the Provencal style.
Cap: Cork
Alcohol content: 12.9%