2017 Au Contraire Rosé, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Tasting Notes
Delicate blush pink. Cheerful aromas of cherry, strawberry and quince with a hint of citrus. Firm on the palate with a delightfully crisp finish and lingering orange zest.
Vinification & Production Area
Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, CA. The wine is grown in two vineyards: Stony Point Road in the heart of the Russian River Valley, and one on Burnside Road in Russian River’s Green Valley.
Enjoy with fresh fish, poultry, and all types of cheeses, appetizers and snacks.
Specs
Vintage: 2017
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Appellation: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Alcohol: 13.8 %
pH: 3.47
Residual Sugar: 1.25 g/L
Total Acidity: 6.6 g/L
Winemaker: Tom Hinde
Included in the Box
4-bottles:
4x 2017 Au Contraire Rosé, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Case:
12x 2017 Au Contraire Rosé, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Au Contraire wines are crafted for those who aim to live life to the fullest, who revel in turning the everyday ordinary into something extraordinary. Our wines celebrate the spirit of taking on any challenge in life, no matter how insurmountable it may seem. This irresistible joie de vivre is artfully embodied on each Au Contraire label with a playful illustration that turns expectations on their heads.
Taub Family Vineyards was inspired by beloved company founder, David S. Taub, who touched everyone he met with his charisma, compassion and tenacity. He would often use the phrase “Au Contraire!” to motivate colleagues, friends and family to seek out creative solutions and accomplish unexpected results. These expressive wines from top vineyards in Russian River Valley are dedicated to David’s infectious approach to life.
Outstanding quality is guaranteed by legendary California enologist, Tom Hinde, and his experienced team of viticulturists and winemakers. This premium rose is sourced from the heart of the Russian River Valley’s ideal Pinot Noir sites, including Green Valley, the most distinctive AVA of the North Coast.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Au Contraire Russian River Valley Rosé
4 bottles for $54.99 $13.75/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $114.99 $9.58/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
@cbl_wv@CorTot
I continue to question why producers do this, until I realize, duh, it’s to gain attention on a shelf.
Seems rather like a flare that this this is meant to drink now, not cellar. But this is a '17; so that’s a bit of a broadside to that scenario, unless…
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2017 Au Contraire Russian River Valley Rosé - $50 = 30.29%
From winemakermag.com
“Dry wines are typically in the 0.2–0.3 percent range, off-dry wines in the 1.0–5.0 percent range, and sweet dessert wines in the 5.0–15 percent range.”
At 1.25 it qualifies as off-dry although on the dryer end of the off-dry spectrum.
@cocacola08@pupator
…and a Cellar Tracker note on the '18 vintage;
“Late night at Maison Dakota. Drank in Gabriel Standart. Short and fat bottle shape that is still 750ml.
Appearance is clear, pale intensity, salmon pink colour. Legs.
Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of red candy and strawberries. Youthful.
On the palate, off-dry, medium alcohol (13%), medium body. Medium flavour intensity, with flavours of onion skin, strawberries, sweet cream, candy cane, spice. Medium finish.
Ok quality. Sweetish which should please some. Messy on the palate for me. Not my type of Rose.”
can anybody confirm that these are 750cl bottles (regular bottles quantity)?
I mean, I don’t see why not, but who knows, they could be - au contraire - half liter bottles…
Thanks!
There is another website in addition to the one linked above but it doesn’t really contain any information. Also the link above which takes you to Palm Bay International mentions an 88 point Wine Enthusiast review in the October '20 issue. Although the picture shows a bottle of 2017, if you download the bottle shots they are for current vintage 2019.
fwiw, just a little useless information
Hmm, an RRV Pinot Noir rose for <$10 at case price. Seems like a likely buy. Any chance of rats?
Also, seems like an appropriate marketing blurb for this year 2020: Our wines celebrate the spirit of taking on any challenge in life, no matter how insurmountable it may seem. I’m surrounded by wildfire smoke now and daytime sky is dark orange. Inside smells like campfire and outside smells like downwind side of the firepit (and we all know you will always be downwind no matter where you move your chair).
@Cerridwyn Same boat. Reminded myself that things flip in a few hours and I often forget. Maybe the 24hr deals never get rats or winemaker participation. Though that would suck, maybe it is our lot in life to purchase blindly. Like the three blind mice. But not three rats 'cause there apparently aren’t any.
@pmarin
I’ve ratted a Friday wine before but if it was a late send out it is hard and can’t trust deliveries these days, if ever but it’s worse. As to vintner participation, I’ve seen that too but it might vary per winemaker
12 is a good deal, I looked around. A very very good deal. But I rarely do 12, usually only the small amount but it’s a Rose. But not sure how well it will age as it takes me awhile to get to stuff.
I might have gone to bed early and forgotten to place an order, so I did anyway, rats (or lack thereof) be damned!
I am not worried about storing for a while; I sometimes find older white blends or roses I forgot I had, and never had a problem with the older cellared bottles. The flavors might change a bit and not be as “bright” but often are still enjoyable and sometimes different in a good way.
@chipgreen@pmarin Not sure what his screen name is, didn’t ask, but it would be funny if he did. At least I’d know that the ability to create simple minded linkages was passed on.
2017 Au Contraire Rosé, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Tasting Notes
Vinification & Production Area
Specs
Included in the Box
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $360/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Oct 5 - Tuesday, Oct 6
Au Contraire Russian River Valley Rosé
4 bottles for $54.99 $13.75/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $114.99 $9.58/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2017 Au Contraire Russian River Valley Rosé
Looks like a nice wine, does it fit in any of the racks I own?
@CorTot Right next to the Buck Shack.
@CorTot It sure doesn’t look like it would, does it?
@cbl_wv @CorTot
I continue to question why producers do this, until I realize, duh, it’s to gain attention on a shelf.
Seems rather like a flare that this this is meant to drink now, not cellar. But this is a '17; so that’s a bit of a broadside to that scenario, unless…
@cbl_wv @CorTot @rjquillin Unless…
@CorTot @rjquillin Buck Shack, that’s the first thing I thought of…like, oh no, a bourbon barrel rosé
@CorTot @rjquillin
To be more exact, right between Buck Shack and the Templeton Rye Whiskey, (visited the Distillery yesterday)
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2017 Au Contraire Russian River Valley Rosé - $50 = 30.29%
Eh, this was good enough for me:
https://www.vivino.com/au-contraire-rose/w/7147671?year=2017
/giphy independent-snobby-rain
@pupator Hoping the notes about sweetness being balanced are accurate… I feared this being sweet, but pulled the trigger anyway.
@cocacola08 @pupator
From the producer website - RS: 1.25
From winemakermag.com
“Dry wines are typically in the 0.2–0.3 percent range, off-dry wines in the 1.0–5.0 percent range, and sweet dessert wines in the 5.0–15 percent range.”
At 1.25 it qualifies as off-dry although on the dryer end of the off-dry spectrum.
@cocacola08 @pupator
…and a Cellar Tracker note on the '18 vintage;
“Late night at Maison Dakota. Drank in Gabriel Standart. Short and fat bottle shape that is still 750ml.
Appearance is clear, pale intensity, salmon pink colour. Legs.
Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of red candy and strawberries. Youthful.
On the palate, off-dry, medium alcohol (13%), medium body. Medium flavour intensity, with flavours of onion skin, strawberries, sweet cream, candy cane, spice. Medium finish.
Ok quality. Sweetish which should please some. Messy on the palate for me. Not my type of Rose.”
@chipgreen Gotta love the casual glassware namedrop in a review for what sounds like a middling wine. What, just the Standarts, not the Golds?
@InFrom
Haha, the reviewer also mentions (in his CT bio) that he has completed Level 3 WSET. I guess he is saving the Gold for Level 4.
@chipgreen @InFrom what the heck does “Messy on the palate” even mean??
can anybody confirm that these are 750cl bottles (regular bottles quantity)?
I mean, I don’t see why not, but who knows, they could be - au contraire - half liter bottles…
Thanks!
@salpo 750cl would be one humongous bottle, more likely a 750ml.
@rjquillin @salpo website says bottle size 750, no reference to any others.
@rjquillin right! Between a Methuselah and a Salmanazar
750ML or 75CL, you right.
@rjquillin @salpo I always loved those crazy “big bottle” terms.
@rjquillin @salpo Guide to humongous wine bottles
/giphy unfair-obnoxious-light
There is another website in addition to the one linked above but it doesn’t really contain any information. Also the link above which takes you to Palm Bay International mentions an 88 point Wine Enthusiast review in the October '20 issue. Although the picture shows a bottle of 2017, if you download the bottle shots they are for current vintage 2019.
fwiw, just a little useless information
https://aucontrairewine.com/
@kaolis On this site, we will welcome useless information as opposed to no information at all!
/giphy industrious-optimal-donkey
In for 4.
/giphy klutzy-losing-warlord
@cocacola08 “me for the last 6 months”
Why not…
/giphy full-healthy-catfish
Hmm, an RRV Pinot Noir rose for <$10 at case price. Seems like a likely buy. Any chance of rats?
Also, seems like an appropriate marketing blurb for this year 2020: Our wines celebrate the spirit of taking on any challenge in life, no matter how insurmountable it may seem. I’m surrounded by wildfire smoke now and daytime sky is dark orange. Inside smells like campfire and outside smells like downwind side of the firepit (and we all know you will always be downwind no matter where you move your chair).
/giphy handsome-affectionate-heron
I’d be down to split a case.
was wondering about rats myself as the time ticks. I don’t have space for much more, bought the white blend, and really thinking seriously about this.
@Cerridwyn Same boat. Reminded myself that things flip in a few hours and I often forget. Maybe the 24hr deals never get rats or winemaker participation. Though that would suck, maybe it is our lot in life to purchase blindly. Like the three blind mice. But not three rats 'cause there apparently aren’t any.
@pmarin
I’ve ratted a Friday wine before but if it was a late send out it is hard and can’t trust deliveries these days, if ever but it’s worse. As to vintner participation, I’ve seen that too but it might vary per winemaker
12 is a good deal, I looked around. A very very good deal. But I rarely do 12, usually only the small amount but it’s a Rose. But not sure how well it will age as it takes me awhile to get to stuff.
I might have gone to bed early and forgotten to place an order, so I did anyway, rats (or lack thereof) be damned!
I am not worried about storing for a while; I sometimes find older white blends or roses I forgot I had, and never had a problem with the older cellared bottles. The flavors might change a bit and not be as “bright” but often are still enjoyable and sometimes different in a good way.
/giphy honored-adaptable-school
/giphy unexpected-murky-shape
I didn’t grab, but looked like it might be a good rendition of a rose.
My son did, so I guess I’ll get to find out! (Didn’t even know he had an account.)
@CroutonOllie
Would that be @BreadcrumbOllie?
@chipgreen @CroutonOllie
@chipgreen @CroutonOllie Crumb off the old block?
@chipgreen @pmarin Not sure what his screen name is, didn’t ask, but it would be funny if he did. At least I’d know that the ability to create simple minded linkages was passed on.