Prior to the French revolution, Rouët was owned by the Marquis de Villeneuve, who supplied Louis XVI’s court with wine. Since the French revolution the property has been owned by the Rouët family. Although the first vines were planted at Rouët in the 18th Century, it was only after a forest fire in 1927 that destroyed the family’s holdings that the current vineyards were laid out. The vines—mostly Syrah and Grenache—were planted in narrow strips, approximately 1 kilometer in length, to act as firebreaks.

Silky scents of blushing cotton candy, apple blossom and boysenberry lifted by gentle tones of warm candied apple and crushed strawberry. This pink temptress has a creamy mouth-feel with elegant peach nectar, guava paste and tart citrus flavors coasting along a bed of wet stones that linger in pools of delightful mineral complexities. Deeply nuanced and surprisingly rich—this quenchingly dry, mineral-drenched rosé treats us with its generously slurpable yet serious attributes. Treat this as more than simply an apéritif or summer quaffer. This is a formidably rich rosé that pairs wonderfully with hearty garden salads, fish, shrimp or a wide range of grilled chicken or pork dishes.

—Donald