Wines of the Month – 2012 Villa Wolf Pinot Noir Rose, Germany & 2011 Sledgehammer Zinfandel, California

label on Villa Wolf Pinot Noir Rose2012 Villa Wolf Pinot Noir Rose, Pfalz, Germany $12

The Villa Wolf Rosé de Pinot Noir is a true rosé, made with a brief maceration before pressing to extract a lovely salmon color. It is light and refreshing, with bright berry and fruit flavors and a clean, zippy finish. This is a lovely wine for sipping as the weather warms plus it is a great wine to pair with the season’s fresh seafood. Alcohol 11.5%

 

label on Sledgehammer Zinfandel2011 Sledgehammer Zinfandel, California North Coast $13

This is a big, bold, spicy and as the producer says “loud” wine. It pairs perfectly with grilled beef and all hearty meats hot off the grill. It has an abundance of raspberry and sweet baking spices, chocolate and espresso aromas lead to a secondary layer of fruit – blueberry and black cherry with vanilla. The palate reflects the nose – it supplies generous fruit, has a supple texture and fine cocoa tannins lingering on the finish. Alcohol: 14.5%