2006 Loan Alicante Bouschet Raven’s Rosé

Alicante Bouschet is the name of the grape that makes this wine. It is a unique type of grape, it is a teinturier (French for dyed) grape, which means that the flesh is red as well as the skin. It was bred in the late 1800’s by Henri Bouschet from crossing his father’s Petit Bouschet with Grenache (cool family, huh!) and has the unique distinction of being the only teinturier grape that is vitis vinifera. Given its red flesh and red skin, it is no surprise that the wine is shining with various arrays of reds and hints of purple. In amongst the pretty petals of fruit flavours and fleshy berries is spice and chalkiness that give the wine a delightful structure. This wine should be drunk chilled, it is totally refreshing. I feel this wine will be gulped rather than sipped, not least because it tastes so good and is only 10.5% alc/vol, but because as far as thirst quenching wines go in hot climates, this Loan Rosé is close to the top of my list. If you are interested in learning more about teinturier grapes or the crazy Bouschet family send me an email and we can arrange for you to get some of this rose for $18 too!

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