Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/832383
88 / the tasting panel / june 2017 Susan Nelson is the Northern California Sales Rep for Ferrari-Carano. Dana Manison, California State Manager for Hundred Acre Wine Group, presenting Layer Cake. ROSÉ REVEAL NUMBER EIGHT Hacienda de Arínzano 2016 Rosado, DO Pago de Arínzano, Spain ($20) 100% Tempranillo What better plan than for Spain to have a rosé of Tempranillo? Released last month, this is only the second vintage of this rosé expression of Spain's signature grape. Manuel Louzada, formerly senior winemaker for Numanthia, has come on board for Arínzano, one of Spain's most modern wineries and the first Pago in Northern Spain. He is now CEO of the Stoli Group Portfolio and Director of Winemaking for Arínzano and Achaval-Ferrer. "A Pago is Spain's most prestigious wine classification," said Lisa Tuttle of the Stoli Group, importer of the wines. Pago rises above all of Spain's classification system, including DOC, and while there are 17 Pago-classified wineries in Spain, only 11 are available in the U.S. "It takes ten years to qualify for this status," she notes. "And wines must be produced and bottled on the estate." The Arínzano estate—which, as a Pago-classified winery, is its own appellation—lies in northeastern Spain at the border of the Rioja region and receives influ- ence from the Atlantic. There's a high diurnal swing in sum- mer, from morning until night, with a long ripening season. Elevations for vineyards rise as high as 1,575 feet. With the Paso-quality "Cru" concept in mind, Arínzano grapes follow an organic flow through the winery, with delicate treatment and precise control throughout. "Beautifully textured," proffered wine consultant Jerry Cooper of J. Cooper Wine. "This rosé has wonderful structure with notes of toasty nuts, pink grapefruit and a minerality throughout." Ceri Smith of Biondivino agreed on the fine structure and expressive nature of the wine: "a hint of rose, a touch of citrus and a dot of white pepper." TENUTE DEL MUNDO ROSÉ REVEAL NUMBER NINE Kim Crawford 2016 Rosé, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand ($18) 100% Merlot Hawke's Bay is New Zealand's warm- est and driest grape-growing region, where red wines thrive. Located on the North Island, it offers complex and diverse soil types where varietals such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah display an elegant nature. While this winery is well known for its aromatic Sauvignon Blanc, this new release Merlot-based rosé is opulent and a sturdy, rosy-blush, pink-hued beauty. Justin Chin of Ju-Ni guessed it was composed of Bordeaux varieties: "At first, I thought it was Cab Franc (Chinon) from the Loire because of its deeper hue, but tasted a ripeness to the fruit—cher- ries and rhubarb—and it made me think otherwise. I was not surprised when I learned it was Merlot." Michael Ploetz also guessed Bordeaux grapes: "The nose was spicy and the red fruit—strawberries and melon—were zippy on the palate." CONSTELLATION WINE U.S. Lisa Tuttle is the Director of Wines-West for Stoli Group USA.