Serious, and seriously good rosé is a rarity. Unless it’s a Tavel, made by the Perrin family of Château de Beaucastel fame. Named after the “pebble” blanket that coats the vineyards of Tavel, this hails from the first and ONLY appellation in the world exclusively devoted to rosé. We’re talking up to the $50s per bottle ‘Grand Cru of all Rosés’ rosé here that possesses tremendous aging potential. The 2016 vintage today is fresh as a daisy! This appellation is SO proud of its rosé that they even have laws regulating their minimum intensity of color.

Almost a pale red, copper hue with a glowing coral turned Pink Mondial rose petals. A perfumed nose offers up aromas of spicy watermelon, dried raspberry, lemon rind, lavender, and gala apple. Candied cranberries and tea define the medium body, with a ‘strawberries and cream’ mouthfeel. Pretty and fruity throughout, full and layered, savory and rich, the finish is a testament to dignity. This would be the perfect accompaniment to Bouillabaisse, traditional fisherman’s catch of the day stew of fish to shellfish aplenty.

The legacy? It’s deep. For Robert Parker’s Wine Advocates Jeb Dunnuck writes; “One of the standouts in the southern Rhône is the Perrin family, now largely under the helm of Thomas, Marc, Pierre, and Mathieu, continues to produce some of the top wines, at numerous price points, in the south of France. In short, this is a brilliant portfolio across the board. The family’s flagship Château de Beaucastel Hommage à Jacques Perrin is an incredible, singular Châteauneuf du Pape that’s one of the world’s greatest wines.” At HALF OFF what was already a fair price for a Tavel, a mere $12.99 offers a glimpse into this world of profoundness.

Here’s what the wine press says.

Antonio Galloni’s Vinous in a recent Don’t Go Into the Light All the Time! Rosé feature sets the record straight:

“The trend towards lighter bodied, high-acid pink wines shows no sign of slowing down. Moreover, anecdotal evidence from producers, importers, sommeliers and retailers is that deeper, richer, full-bodied Rosés have become a tough sell. That style is perhaps best exemplified by Tavel, an appellation in France’s southern Rhône Valley devoted solely to Rosé. The importance of Tavel to France’s winemaking landscape is historic as it was, along with Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Cassis and Arbois, one of the first 4 appellations in France to be awarded appellation d’origine controlée (AOC) status in 1936. Compared to what seems like the majority of pink wines on retail shelves and that are being poured in restaurants around the world, Tavel and other weighty Rosés might be a shock to many palates. While more brisk Rosés can easily take the place of lighter white wines, deeper Rosés are terrific alternatives to red wines. Fuller-bodied Rosés also work well with the type of food that would overpower most delicate Rosés, such as red meats, richer poultry like duck, strong cheeses and pretty much anything grilled or smoked. I hope that readers will give richer, bolder Rosés a serious look, as their adaptability and flexibility at the table is welcome and vast.”