After Sunday's thunderstorm we had a couple of cool grey days, then
Wednesday the sun returned. Temps pushed into 80s, but humidity was
low, and we were in good spirits as we headed for the evening concert
by the river. A good jazz band, a nice breeze, and good friends.
Aaaahh......

Food was actually mostly leftovers (chicken, beans, salad, and
peaches). An open bottle of 2003 Puzelat PdA was popular with all who
tasted it. So was the 2004 Clos Roche Blanche Touraine Sauvignon. Less
grassy than my impression of a previous bottle, just clean Sauvignon
Blanc fruit with a bit of chalk and flint. Excellent acidity, clean if
not especially long finish. Very good QPR. B+

A couple of friends had each brought a Rioja ros=E9:

2004 Muga Rosado. Light-colored and light-bodied, a crisp refreshing
wine with light strawberry character. B

2003 Marques de Caceres Rosado. Darker, more candied. Not totally
devoid of acid, but clunky next to the Muga. I prefer the Muga, but
this is drinkable, at the $5 Fred paid that's something. B-

Such a nice night that we just stayed well after the concert, enjoying
the breeze, the last traces of the sunset, and the conversation.
=20
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent
wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't
drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no
promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.

"DaleW" > wrote in news:1124369645.801132.79530
@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
> 2004 Muga Rosado. Light-colored and light-bodied, a crisp refreshing
> wine with light strawberry character. B
>
> 2003 Marques de Caceres Rosado. Darker, more candied. Not totally
> devoid of acid, but clunky next to the Muga. I prefer the Muga, but
> this is drinkable, at the $5 Fred paid that's something. B-


Hi, perhaps you favored the fresher one, but the tasting note of José Peñín
(our native Robert Parker <g>) on the MC 2003 Rosado ends with a "the best
rosado in the history". I think I enjoyed a few bottles last summer, and
perhaps I still have one left.

I usually like Muga Fermentado en Barrica white dry wine as my favorite
young wine from Rioja, though.

Best,

Santiago

"Jos=E9 Pe=F1=EDn (our native Robert Parker <g>)"

Santiago, I don't think this was an issue of freshness. As a firm
believer in the subjectivity of tastes, I can certainly see plenty of
people preferring the Marques de Caceres. Just as *our* native Robert
Parker thought that 2003 was the best year ever in Beaujolais and great
for southern France ros=E9s, or James Suckling thinks that 1997 was a
better Piemont vintage than 1996, and I felt differently. To me, cut
and crispness and sense of place are more important in a ros=E9 than lots
of ripe fruit. That does not make my takes better or worse (at least in
my opinion) than anyone else's, just different. I might agree with
every word of Pe=F1in's review, except those about the overall quality.
I'm curious did he mention the acidity? Seemed low for rosado to me.

I'll object to anyone who claims there's a truly subjective heirarchy
of quality in something taste-driven like wine. Let a hundred tasting
notes bloom.

Dale,

I might agree with
> every word of Peñin's review, except those about the overall quality.
> I'm curious did he mention the acidity? Seemed low for rosado to me.

This is his tasting note, translated:

- Salmon colour. Fresh and powerful nose, fruity (strawberry and
raspberry). Powerful mouth, fresh, intense fruit, very expresive. The best
rosé in history.

BTW, Peñín has just released an english version of his Guía Peñín 2005.

I understand his "fresh" related with acidity.
>
> I'll object to anyone who claims there's a truly subjective heirarchy
> of quality in something taste-driven like wine.

So true.

Best,

S.