90 Points, reviewed by Michael Rockich, Appellations Ten

Known for his novel views, and as a revolutionist in altering traditional practices of the Spanish wine business, including being among the forerunners to export Spanish wine abroad, winemaker Miguel Ángel de Gregorio has founded two wineries, Finca Allende and Finca Nueva.  Located in Navarrete (Rioja Alta), Spain, Finca Nueva brings us the 2019 Rosado we are reviewing here.

The color of the 2019 Rosado is really pretty in subdued shades of Salmon.  Paleness of rosé wine is a trend in Spain over the past five years.  The structure and firm touch and feel of Miguel Ángel’s rosé wine are notable, but this is a characteristic of his high quality winemaking.  See my recent reviews of his Crianza and Viura. This notably refreshing rosé wine delivers an elevated acid level which is nicely integrated with the ripe fruit resulting in great balance of the taste modalities and components.  On the palate, red cranberry sauce, rhubarb pie, and background notes of lemon-citrus, dried apricot, and orange marmalade.  Nearly mid-weight, this inviting wine is focused, juicy and wet, shows good length, and brings impact.

In the winemaking, after destemming a gentle touch is employed in crushing the Tempranillo and Garnacha grape clusters, followed by a very light pressing applied in a vertical basket press.  During the next two days the static free-run juice collects and is subsequently placed in stainless steel tanks for fermentation.  The resulting alcohol is just over 13 %.

The food pairing I chose for the 2019 Rosado was a soup of white beans.  It reminds me of the cassoulet that is often paired with rosé wine in the south of France, but without the lengthy ingredients list that often accompanies it.  So, I prepared the soup quite rich with some viscosity.  The soup comforted where the Rosado provided strident contrasts with its refreshing bright fruit and acidity.

Trinchero Family Estates in Napa Valley, the world’s second-largest family-owned winery (fourth-largest overall), is the exclusive US importer of Finca Nueva.  About $18.

A sample for review.

Photo, credit Finca Nueva and TFE