Rosé, as the 2021 Domaine du Bagnol rose, defines this wine category, making it more than “not white” and “not red,” but claiming its own domain.
We used to be there with many who considered Rosé an afterthought rather than wine worth trying. All that changed when we tasted wines on the same level as the 2021 Domaine du Bagnol.
Are there rosé wines not worthy of trying? Most definitely, and plenty of it. Like with beer, there’s “Bud,” a chilled piss-colored drink gulped at freezing temperature, and there’s a whole other universe of Lagers and Pilsners that leave “Bud” in a cloud of forgettable dust. So if you thought of all Lagers as “Bud,” you would never drink it, right? No offense to “Bud” lovers.
So why is Domaine du Bagnol one of the wines that define the Rosé category?
2021 Domaine du Bagnol Rose
It starts with peach, baked apple, cranberry, honeysuckle, and green almond aroma. They are so well-balanced that it’s hard to tell them apart.
Flavors are a refreshing mix of ripe lemon, cranberry, almond croissant, and juicy pink nectarine. The red berry tartness feels almost tannic. Still, don’t be scared. It’s hardly bone-dry wine, and it’s not tannic.
The texture and structure of the wine impressed the most. Those who like full-bodied might be surprised by how substantial this wine feels on the palate. Its texture and chewiness felt close to rich Californian Chardonnay but without any oakness and butterness.
For these reasons, the 2021 Domaine du Bagnol is one of the wines defining the Rosé category as its own and not “the other wine”!
Here’s a little challenge to those who look down on Rosé. Pick a bottle of Rosé ($20-$35), preferably from Provence, like our wine, and try it. Grab a $10 bottle for the kicks and do a side-by-side blind tasting.
We would love to hear if you became a Rosé Believer.
If you are already a Rosé fan, please let us know your epiphany moment when you fell in love with it. Any favorites?