Summer is officially drawing to an end. While the calendar may tell us otherwise, the children have headed back to school, summer camps are shutdown, and the pumpkins have shown up everywhere like an invasive species. C’est la vie. However, perhaps through the magic of rosé, we might prolong the summer just a few more days. Aiming to have you be their guest (I’m so sorry, I could not resist), and leading off our last few days of rose, is Lumière De Provence Rosé.
[Disclaimer: The following bottle was generously provided as a sample. For more on this, check out our sample policy.]
Sight: Something more curious here, borderline watery copper. Channeling more orange than pink. Very light overall though.
Smell: The nose is soft and fruity to start, with mild, fresh strawberries and touches of rhubarb coming through. A lot of salinity seems present as well, but is bolstered by more red fruits, like cranberry, and raspberry. Touches of herbs round things out.
Sip: The salinity leads things off, with a bone dry body. The body is lively, without being overly bright, and the texture is firm thanks to the malolactic fermentation. Notes of roses, orange zest, rhubarb, and tarragon all come out to play. The fruit is a little bit subdued here, but you get some strawberries, both fresh and dried.
Savor: The ending is a again very focused more on herbs, like tarragon, rosemary, and oregano, with touches of roses, than it is on the strawberry notes. The finish has a massive time length.
Lumière De Provence Rosé does Provence rosé well, with a particular bent toward a creamier mouthfeel and the saline side of things. As usual, fans of fruity roses are not going to find much to enjoy here, and I’m not certain I’d want to drink glass after glass of this on it’s own. However, as a food friendly wine, I think Lumière has some real potential. For example, I’d love to have a glass of this with a nice grilled salmon sandwich (or burger) topped with arugula, caramelized onions, and a wasabi aoili. Summer is almost going, so if you have a bottle, pop it open, and enjoy a few more days outside.
Verdict: Wild Herbs, Floral, Saline, Strawberry
Rating: 78
Price: $14
Provence, France
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