Serious about rose? You Should be!
When I was a young lad in the 1970s, rosé wines were simple, soft, and often sweet. Back in the late 1960s, our family-owned store, Ashbury Market in San Francisco, routinely stocked bottles like Almaden Mountain Nectar Vin Rosé, along with other accessible selections of the time. When I eventually took over as wine buyer (my dad had handled the orders up to that point), I began to elevate the offerings by featuring higher-quality wines. Among my breakout choices were the Robert Mondavi Gamay Rosé—likely the 1973 vintage—and the Mirassou Petite Rosé, though I’m not certain of the vintage. At the time, options were limited. Fast-forward to today, and rosé is everywhere—not just from Provence, but from an impressive range of global wine regions, each bringing its expression to this now-serious category.
MacRostie Sonoma Coast Rose of Pinot Noir (Tasted: 4/18/25, San Francisco, CA)
2024 MacRostie SONOMA COAST ROSE OF PINOT NOIR 91 POINTS, WILFRED WONG. SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $32.00 (Tasted: June 18, 2025, San Francisco, CA, USA) The 2024 MacRostie Rosé of Pinot Noir is a beautifully crafted pink wine, produced using both traditional and saignée methods. It delivers vivid notes of wild strawberries and a thread of savory spice that lingers gracefully on the finish. A Provençal fish stew makes an ideal pairing. (Best Served: 2025-2027) [SOURCING: USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast; Vineyards: [TECHNICAL: 13.9% alcohol] [Heidi Bridenhagen, Winemaker] [WINEMAKING HIGHLIGHTS: 52% of the fruit went directly to press, which produces a light and delicate pink color, while bringing more structure and mouthfeel to the wine. The other 48% was produced using the saignée method, which produces an aromatic, fruit-forward wine; Aging: Five months; Production 1,307 cases] [Certified California Sustainable Vineyard & Winery] Vinted and Bottled by MacRostie Winery, St. Helena, CA; UPC Code: None
2024 The Fableist Wine Company CENTRAL COAST GRENACHE ROSÉ The Butterfly and the Wasp Fable: 556 SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $25.00 92 POINTS, WILFRED WONG. (Tasted: June 11, 2025, Paso Robles, CA) “The Butterfly and the Wasp” (Fable 556) delivers a thoughtful message: “It matters not what we were, it matters what we are now. We never want to be stuck in the past—we’re always trying to evolve.” Vibrant and expressive, this rosé captures today’s love for refreshing, flavor-forward wines. Pour a few glasses and pair it with a crisp green papaya salad tossed with lime, fish sauce, chilies, and fresh herbs—a zesty complement to the wine’s brightness. (Best Served: 2025–2027) [SOURCING: USA, California, Central Coast; Vineyards: The Templeton Preserve, Adelaida Preserve] [COMPOSITION: 80% Grenache and 20% Blaufränkisch] [WINEMAKING HIGHLIGHTS: Élevage: 3 months in 100% stainless steel; Sustainable, No Additives, Vegan, Native Yeast, Minimal Sulfur] [Curt Schalchlin and Andrew Jones, Winemakers] Produced and Bottled by the Fableist, San Miguel and Templeton CA
2024 Cantina Gabriele LAZIO ROSATO SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $14.00 90 POINTS WILFRED WONG. (Tasted: May 25, 2025, San Francisco, CA) 90 POINTS, WILFRED WONG. (Tasted: May 25, 2025, San Francisco, CA, USA) The charm of wines from Italy’s Lazio region (just outside Rome) lies in their balance of traditional craftsmanship and forward-thinking innovation. The 2024 Cantina Gabriele Rosé, made from organic grapes, delivers inviting aromas and flavors of garden herbs and ripe red berries. Serve it with a chilled octopus salad dressed in cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil for a Mediterranean-inspired pairing. (Best Served: 2025-2027) [SOURCING: Italy, Lazio] [COMPOSITION: 85% Merlot, 15% Sangiovese] [TECHNICAL: 13% alcohol] [Bottled by Cantina Gabriele [WINEMAKING HIGHLIGHTS: Mevushal Kosher for Passover] Bottled by Cantina Sant' Andrea - Terracina - Italy; Imported by Victor Wines, Hollywood, FL
High-quality rosés frequently land on my desk—and I’m paying close attention. What was once a category that the wine trade often dismissed has now taken center stage.
Salud!
—Wilfred Wong
Cheers!
