Producer: Roanoke Vineyards
Region: North Fork of Long Island AVA
Grapes: 33% cabernet sauvignon, 33% cabernet franc, 33% merlot (all saignee)
Production: 190 cases
RS: 1.3%
ABV: 13.2%
Price: $34

Roanoke Vineyards 2018 "Site Specific" Rose
Darker than any East Coast 2018 rose I've tasted this year, this looks almost like a light red wine and drinks almost like one too.
Black and red cherry aromas are layered with notes of earthy dried leaves and a meaty minerality.
Fuller bodied and plump, this isn't rose as a white wine stand-in. The berries are more red than black here, with cherries and strawberries leading the way, with more of that meaty minerality that brings a distinct savoriness. There is some definite sweetness here, but it's fairly well balanced though again, this isn't the vivacious style of rose many are used to. The finish is medium-long with a subtle note of brown sugar.
At $34 it's not a great value, but it's a unique take on Long Island rose that will probably shine brightest with fall and even winter foods rather than summer fare. It's a nice choice for Thanksgiving dinner.
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Quick note . . . The 2018 Roanoke vineyards Site Specific™ rosé is $20 less than Domanin Ott, and is the only rosé on Long Island grown without herbicides or pesticides. In addition, it will age beautifully, assuming you can keep yourself from drinking it. It is also . . . deliscious, which in addition to its other attributes made it a fabulous value. Sadly, the wine is sold out.