Grandioso Rosé

The 2021 Grandioso is the winery's oak-aged rosé (five months in seven- to nine-year-old French barriques). It is a blend of 55% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, 17% Chardonnay and dollops of others for the rest, very dry and coming in at 12.8% alcohol. Another Merlot-dominated pink in the stable for this report, this is always the most distinctive due to the wood aging. It certainly changes the texture, although given the very old wood, it sure doesn't change the flavor to vanilla. When reviewing the Own Rooted pink in this report, I indicated that might be the most powerful of the group, but this certainly is a serious challenger there. Here, though, the power is rounded off a bit in texture by the wood, changing the perception a little. This is reasonably concentrated, impressively structured and beautifully balanced. In its dry and serious fashion, it's even a little stern right now. If you're looking for an easygoing, fruity pink, look away. There were 1,600 cases produced, plus some magnums.