Jana Winery

‘Tis the rosé sipping season, which has become the cool thing – in all senses of that word – to do. And why not? In the summer months, dry, crisp rosés refresh and pair perfectly with lighter summertime food. It’s difficult to not sound as if I’m a shill for the Rosé Advocates & Producers (RAP) (they can’t pay me enough), but I meant it. There’s nothing more elégant or right than a dry Rosé in the warm months.

While there aren’t a lot of outstanding rosés out there produced on the North American continent, they’re coming on of late; and this one from Scott Harvey, is one of the better ones. It’s steely, minerally in the nose and almost bone dry on the finish with beautiful Pinot Noir fruit that is perfectly balanced.

The Pinot is from the Yountville vineyard of Dr. Richard Peterson, who succeeded the great André Tchelistcheff at Beaulieu. (He’s also the father of super-consultant Heidi Peterson Barrett). The wine has less than 1 percent residual sugar, which is balanced by the low pH (3.16), and a wonderfully low 10.5 percent alcohol. Best of all? Check out the price. I don’t recall a lower-priced wine from the Napa Valley in about the last 10 years, especially considering the pedigree. The downside is that there were only 146 cases made and I don’t think there’s much left.

Reviewed August 31, 2007 by Alan Goldfarb.