Chateau Tour de Mirambeau (France) Rose 2002
With the heatwave that has settled over almost all of the UK in the past week I found myself reaching for the roses and dry whites once again, and was delighted to turn up a little cracker that I’d missed in my my rose round-up earlier this summer. This Bordeaux pink is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, and is a rose in an uncompromisingly dry, unfrivolous style. The colour is a deep salmon, and the nose, though rather closed at first, reveals lovely scents of minerals, herbs and redcurrants with a little airing. On the palate it is very dry and savoury, with a steely core of mineral acidity and a touch of tannic bite. Again that quality of redcurrant and tart raspberry fruit begins to show through, with just a suggestion of sweeter strawberry. Bottled in a screw-cap, this is a perfect wine for picnics. It has a bit of real red wine character, so is not a rose for fans of off-dry, very commercial styles. £6.49 Oddbins
