2019 Ruth Lewandowski Rosé Cuvee Zero

Region: Mendocino County + Calaveras County < California 

Grapes: Touriga Nacional, Souzão, Tinta Roriz

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Organic farming; direct press; Touriga + Souzão from Fox Hill Vineyard in Mendocino, Tinta Roriz from Rorick Heritage Vineyard in Calaveras; sandstone rocky soils; full malolactic fermentation; bottled unfined/unfiltered, with zero dded SO2; zero-zero; 11.5% ABV

Winemaker: Evan Lewandowski

NEW VINTAGE ALERT: Whereas in previous vintages, Utah-boy Evan bought fruit from organic vineyards in California and trucked the fermenting juice cross country in a refrigerated U-Haul to make the wine in Utah, he has now officially moved production to California. So, it's the same delicious juice with a lower carbon footprint.  

And OOOOOH, this rosé – always so so good! It’s made from two Portuguese grapes, Touriga (used to make Port) and Souzão, picked at optimal ripeness, pressed directly, fermented naturally without additions or subtractions. He allows malo to go through – because he says it really wanted to. It’s dark pink, thanks to the thick Touriga skins, which also give a touch of tannin. The addition of Tinta Roriz (aka Tempranillo) adds a delicate, spicy, snappy strawberry component to the wine. Texturally it’s white tea-like, and tastes of blood orange, peach and rose petal, with a slight hint of bubble gum. The palate is full, but not heavy, yet bright and snappy with a refreshingly low ABV. It’s a totally different and extremely pleasurable rosé drinking experience.