Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Kanonkop – Kadette Pinotage Rosé 2022
Stellenbosch – South Africa 🇿🇦

Overview:
Crafted from Pinotage, a grape born from crossing Pinot Noir and Cinsault, this rosé highlights the unique South African innovation with a refreshing, modern expression.

Aromas & Flavors:
Delicate red berries, watermelon, and pomegranate on the nose, with crisp citrus undertones. The palate follows through with juicy red fruit, a whisper of floral notes, and a refreshing mineral streak.

Mouthfeel:
Light, bright, and energetic. Crisp acidity keeps it lively, with a clean, thirst-quenching finish.

Food Pairings:
Excellent with grilled shrimp, sushi, light salads, or simply as a refreshing aperitif on a warm day.

Verdict:
A distinctive rosé that showcases the brilliance of Pinotage beyond its traditional red wine style. Juicy, crisp, and not so common, a refreshing take on a proudly South African grape. Cheers!

Did You Know?
Pinotage was created in 1925 by South African scientist Abraham Perold, who crossed Pinot Noir and Cinsault (locally called Hermitage). While often debated for its red wine style, Pinotage has found new life in rosé and sparkling versions, loved for their vibrancy and freshness. — 9 months ago

Jorge Pazos

8.9

Restaurante Tunateca, Barcelona — 2 years ago

FKA Bilal Zou

9.1

He’s cute and available - just like this wine from Salvatage in Barcelona — 5 years ago

Jordi Pazo

9.2

Experiència Verema Barcelona. Museu Marítim.
25.11.19 — 7 years ago

Jordi Pazo

9.1

Experiencia Verema Barcelona. Museu Marítim. 2018.
19.11.18 — 8 years ago

Jean Ellen Spengler

9.4

Had at Barcelona girls weekend 2018 — 8 years ago

Mason Balistreri

Sommelier, International Wine Guild; Balistreri Vineyard; Sales, Joy Wine and Spirits

9.6

It might shock you, but my favorite rosé is not French but instead comes from California! Blasphemy, I know - but Bedrock's Ode to Lulu is just that good. The difficulty is actually finding a bottle. For the last three years, I've only been allocated a case (or less) to sell here in Denver. It's possible you are one of the select few I've actually told about this wine... If not, now is your chance. This is the first year there's an "okay" supply. It won't last, but you should be able to get a bottle.

So yes, it's not French but it's made in the same style and method of Tempier Bandol Rosé- the most sought after, cult rosé out there. The name "Ode to Lulu" is actually an homage to the 4.5 foot tall, 101 year old woman named "Lulu" Peyraud (born Lucie Tempier) whose father gifted the Mourvedre heavy estate to her and her husband Lucien Peyraud. The wines they would go on to produce from the 1940's onward quite literally defined Bandol and put it on the map as some of the best rosés out there. She's still alive and presumably drinking plenty of wine.

This California-born "Ode to Lulu" is modeled after the great Tempier, but has some unique properties compared to it's French namesake. For one, the vines are EXTREMELY old. Tempier defined itself by focusing on old Mourvèdre and Grenache plantings, but even these French vineyards cannot compare to what Bedrock is working with in California. If you don't know, Bedrock is the winery of Morgon Twain Peterson, son of legendary Ravenswood founder Joel Peterson. Morgon grew up making wine and through his father has cultivated relationships with some of the most important heritage vineyards in California. The "Ode to Lulu" is made from Mourvèdre and Grenache planted as far back as 1888! These are some of the oldest plantings of these grapes around and make for unbelievable wines. Tempier's average vine age is around 40 years old today. Bedrock's is over 3x as old. Insane.

Morgon may be young, but he has a life time of winemaking experience. He started making wine with his father when he was 5 years old and hasn't stopped yet. In addition to absorbing his father's knowledge on heritage vineyards, he is a real student in the world of wine, earning a "Masters of Wine" designation (this industry's highest achievement). I've been drinking his wine for several years and I can say that his wine is made extremely thoughtfully and with expert attention to detail. This is true even with a wine as humble as rosé.

Unlike most California pink wine, Bedrock is not produced by "bleeding off" juice from a red wine. Instead, the grapes are picked early and separately at very low potential alcohols, and whole cluster pressed with low extraction. This preserves the freshness and acidity, creating a wine of clarity. In an old blog post I dug up, Morgon explains this idea:

"I pick at potential alcohols lower on the scale where brightness and lift still exist. This is not to say that fruit does not matter—I use Mourvedre from a block planted over 120 years ago for requisite concentration of complexity of flavor—but like fine champagne, the wonders of rosé lie in its unbearable lightness of being."

I agree with this idea of rosé and I think most people instinctively do as well. It's no coincidence that our best selling bottles come from provence. However, I urge you to pick up at least one bottle of this Ode to Lulu. It's a wine that's close in spirit to the best French rosé but made from vineyards that are American and unrivaled in age.

This is the fourth vintage of Ode to Lulu I've tasted, and I would say that's the most elegant yet. The 2015 was maybe my favorite for it's depth and I picked a few up to age, drinking my last bottle recently... This new vintage is great now, but it will reward with a short cellaring time. Honestly, if you can hide 2 bottles and drink them before fall or into next year, you will be blown away. Bandol rosé is a wine that improves dramatically over the course of 6 months to several years (Tempier Rosé is known to go decades). This bedrock is no different.

I can personally attest to past vintages gaining depth with time. How is this possible? Unlike other rosé which should be drank young, Bandol and Ode to Lulu are made of Mourvedre, a grape that is naturally reductive and resistant to oxidation. Further, the acidity is high and alcohol low. As the acidity starts to fall away, a depth and richness of character will emerge. In fruitier/riper rosé with more alcohol, this richness becomes too sweet and cloying... Not the case here. This keep balanced through time, gaining complexity while remaining refreshing. 

You should buy this wine. However, I think there is one more important facet to rosé that I should mention before you do... Rosé is not always about what's in the glass itself. Rosé is really an ethereal thing... It's more so an "essence" of terroir and vintage rather than a sturdy, hard representation like red wine is... Sorry if that doesn't make sense but what I'm trying to say is that sometimes rosé is more about the place and the people you enjoy it with than the exact flavors themselves. Of course, we cannot all visit the picturesque village of Bandol to visit Lulu Peyraud; but I think, with this sunny Colorado weather, we can come close. Perhaps Morgon said it better than I can:

"Proper rosé is refreshing, life-nourishing stuff that revives the soul... I drink as much for pure pleasure as for intellectual stimulation. In the warmer months there is something sacred about a late afternoon meal of cold chicken, fresh garden tomatoes, and rosé. It is one body in the sacred trilogy of rustic simplicity." - Morgon Twain Peterson

#rose #oldvine #lulu #tempier #bedrockwineco — 8 years ago

Joseph Guzzetta

8.9

Dry crisp and refreshing — a year ago

Frank Soldano

9.7

Great Cava! Right balance of slightly sweet and tart. Great value! Love it! — a year ago

Jorge Pazos

9.2

Restaurant Suru, Barcelona — 3 years ago

Evgenievna

9.7

I’ve been scripting the life philosophies of those closest to me:
1. My parents’ determinist universe: born into a predetermined script, Can’t veer too far from you class, status, culture, genetic talents. You still have to work hard to attain what can be yours. You can fail, become an alcoholic, waste your birth given place in life. But you can also ease in to life knowing things were meant to be certain ways for everyone.

2. I see life as a pinball game. You get spat out like a ball. Bump up against various circumstances. Some can keep the game going by feeding it more quarters. Others learn the rules or teqnique better. Some enjoy it. Some just float through. In the end we all end up in the same hole.

3. Ivison’s are in an action adventure. No plot. Typical characters. Loads of special effects and a ride.

4. Tim? He has a strong sense of right and wrong, fair and unfair. His life philosophy comes close to a balance board.
— 6 years ago

Martijn

9.2

Yeast and sur lie nose.
My first rosé vintage ever. Fantastic year 2005 (our son was born) and drinking great now.
Strawberries and fennel nose. Well balanced sweets, acids and bitters. — 7 years ago

Inti C

9.0

Tapas night in Barcelona, good wine — 8 years ago

JKT

8.9

At Barcelona and an interesting Cava Rose though a bit on the straightforward side — a year ago

April

10

First wine in Barcelona! A Spanish rose. Nice, light pretty Rose perfect for patio drinking in warm weather. And it’s vegan! — a year ago

with Sandy and TwiLea

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Blend of 60% Monastrell, 20% Garnatxa and 20% Pinot Noir, Llopart family viticulture roots date back to 1385 and making CAVA since 1887, I have visited them while in Barcelona. Aromas of red berry fruit, tiny bubbles and light mousse. On the palate flavors of strawberry and cherry flavors, almost creamy mouthfeel, good balance between acidity and sweetness, ending medium+ in length with some mineral notes. Pair with some sushi rolls. — 3 years ago

Jordi Pazo

8.9

Vella Terra, Fira Independent del Vi Natural de Barcelona. Estació del Nord.
09.02.20
— 6 years ago

Jacqui Hogans

9.0

Pretty tasty for a free glass! — 7 years ago

Jordi Pazo

9.2

Experiencia Verema Barcelona. Museu Marítim. 2018.
19.11.18 — 8 years ago

Chris Sowick

9.0

Barcelona Restaurant. Excellent, dry. — 8 years ago