Santa Cristina Cipresseto Rosato Toscana 2014: Bright blush-red/pink color; roses, raspberry, cherry nose;
cherry, watermelon, raspberry on the palate; nip of blackcurrant tang on the finish. Medium-light body, crisp with excellent acidity, fresh and lively in the mouth, nicely dry with fruitiness flirting throughout without interfering with its frolicsome other qualities. Too often rosé gets pigeonholed into dainty damsel or hot weather, summer wine niche, which is terrible injustice. This can be a delight almost anytime; work it as an aperitif with light finger food or paté, excellent pair with sushi, good with grilled fish, baked lemon sole, oysters; the acidity will cleanse your palate to enhance enjoyment while providing a beautiful dash of color in the glass. The Antinori family are bedrock makers in southern Tuscany; they have produced Santa Cristina wine since 1946; they know what they are doing and they do it well. This effort honors the ubiquitous cyprus trees in Tuscany; it is 85% sangiovese and 15% complementary varietals. Well done, nice price, enjoy any time of the year. $14
