TN: Summer fun

Julien “Château Villerambert Julien” 2005 Minervois Rosé (Languedoc) – Crushed essence of pure raspberry. Delicious. (7/06)

40% syrah, 30% grenache, 20% carignan, 10% mourvèdre, made via saignée (bleeding of juice from a red wine). Far too many southern French rosés are either flavor-deficient or overly alcoholic (and sometimes both). This, however, is marvelous in both categories. Alcohol: 13.5%. Closure: cork. Importer: Ideal. Web: http://www.villerambert-julien.com/.

Albajan “Domaine de la Mirande” 2004 Coteaux du Languedoc Picpoul de Pinet (Languedoc) – Wet limestone, ripe lemon and green apple. Simple, but tasty if well-chilled. (7/06)

Picpoul is the grape, and this specific appellation is one of the most underrated in all of France. As such, it remains a screaming bargain; though this wine is fine it’s not the best example of the style (instead, look for the Hugues Beaulieu from Cave des Costières de Pomérols imported by Kysela). Alcohol: 13.5%. Closure: cork. Importer: Arborway.