A Double Gold medal for today’s wine means that the judges’ decision was unnanimous. This wine was the only wine in its category to receive this high honor.

Steal some of today’s brilliant, impressive Rosé while you can. This low production wine is now in short supply.

Today’s Rosé is a wine that almost wasn’t. By the time the October 2017 fires arrived, Benessere had only just harvested the grapes for today’s beautiful 2017 Estate St. Helena Vineyard Napa Valley Rosato Di Sangiovese. Yields were low in 2017, but quality was very high. Today’s crisp, juicy wine is the perfect way to kick off Rosé season!

This beautiful Rosato is the color of grapefruit flesh or a brilliant sunset and it has crystalline clarity. The nose is clean with tropical fruit notes of jackfruit, guava, and mango. There’s also berry notes of blueberry and raspberry. On the palate, stonefruit enters the picture with apricot and nectarine flavors. The berry takes the shape of wild strawberry, while the tropical fruit retains the guava while adding a bit of kiwi. Crisp, bright, and light - this is an ideal summer rosé with a burst of fresh fruit that lingers pleasantly on the palate. Bring out the berry with a summertime dessert - a bowl full of fresh berries topped with a bit of simple syrup with a sprig of mint.

This wine was made by Matt Reid, a protege of the legendary Philippe Melka. Matt has held posts at some of Napa Valley’s most prestigious wineries, including Burgess, Quixote, Failla, and others. His wines always deliver fantastic value.

The most widely planted grape in all of Italy, Sangiovese is used in everything from blended inexpensive table wines like Chianti, to the finest Super Tuscans. Italian immigrants introduced this varietal to the U.S. in the 1800s. First plantings of this grape in the Sonoma County region were in California. Read Agent Red’s tasting notes on this great wine, followed by his mission report, to learn more about today’s fantastic wine.