The 2016 REX HILL Willamette Valley La Vie en Rosé sparkling rosé wine greets with a bead of tiny, pale pink bubbles hinting of strawberry, raspberry, tangerine, stone fruit, macadamia and almond nut aromas. A particularly fine mousse fills the mouth with deliciousness. Intense yet crisp, clean and juicy, the toasty palate hints of red fruits, brioche and apple skin. Delicate bubbles give way to a lingering, savory finish playing beautifully between being both easy-to-love and serious. Complex yet light, the 2016 REX HILL La Vie en Rosé demonstrates presence and breadth.
TASTING NOTES
Hints of strawberry, raspberry, tangerine, stone fruit, macadamia and almond nut aromas. A particularly fine mousse fills the mouth with deliciousness. Intense yet crisp, clean and juicy, the toasty palate hints of red fruits, brioche and apple skin.
Vintage Notes
The 2016 vintage was one of contrasts. Spring started with a bang as we saw record warm temperatures push budbreak and flower earlier than ever across Oregon. This heat interspaced with rain led to very fast growth and heightened mildew pressure. We believed we were in for another 2015 vintage as we moved into the summer, but 100 degree days gave way to mild temperatures across Oregon through the summer months. This modulation of temperature slowed the growth of the vines and ripening of the fruit and we moved through veraison and into harvest. Versaison was extended in some vineyards with almost three weeks from the start to the end. This additional time for the fruit to change color and move into its final ripening phase led to a long and stretched out harvest. Before we started picking, we experienced a heat wave with temperatures in excess of 100 degrees over several days. This heat pushed some of the earlier vineyards to ripen quickly and we had to work quickly to bring the fruit in before it became overripe. All in all, we saw beautiful (if hot at times) weather, a little lower yields than projected and tremendous fruit that was clean, concentrated and ripe. In some ways we have had an embarrassment of riches with a tremendous run over the past few vintages that has continued with 2016.
