More summer rosés from Provence

More delicious rosés have come my way in the last few days.  Firstly a pair of wines from the Negrel family in Provence.   The family estate is Mas de Cadenet in the Ste Victoire part of the Côtes de Provence.  They take rosé very seriously there and 2016 Mas de Cadenet is a delicate pale pink, the classic colour of Côtes de Provence, but the colour belies the palate.  There is some rounded ripe fruit on the nose, with quite a firm palate, with some structure and weight as well as fruit and acidity  It comes from a blend of Grenache Noir, Cinsaut and Syrah and is available from www.fromvineyardsdirect.com for £11.95.   So not a cheap rosé, but a serious wine that accompanies summer dishes.

The Negrel family also source grapes from other areas, such as nearby Bandol.  2015 Bandol La Petite Reine has benefitted from a year’s bottle age compared to the 2016 vintage.  The palate had filled out with more weight and herbal fruit and a streak of tannin to give it some structure.   £12.95 from www.fromvineyardsdirect.com

Berry Bros hosted their spring tasting last week, with a wonderfully eclectic line up of all sorts of goodies, including 2016 Berry Bros & Rudd Provence Rosé which comes from Château la Mascaronne in the appellation of Côtes de Provence.   The blend is mainly Cinsaut and Grenache Noir and it is a delicate pretty colour, with some fruit on the nose and a ripe, rounded palate that nicely mouth filling, and balanced with good acidity.   Another delicious summer rosé, for £12.95    Either from Berry Bros' smart new shop at 63 Pall Mall, or from their website www.bbr.com