Rosa d’Oro vineyards and winery is owned and operated by the Buttitta family. They have been growing premium wine grapes in California since 1953. Now, they focus on the production of old-world Italian wines of the highest quality made from thier own vineyards. Recently, our tasting panel sampled a few of their current releases. Here’s what we thought:

 

Winery: Rosa D’Oro

Grape(s): Sangiovese

Region: Lake County

Year: 2009

Price: 15-20

Review:

Rich aromas of cherries, barrel spices, and hints of caramel can be discovered on the nose. The palate offers flavors of cherries and cranberries rounded out by a bit of spice, leather, and butterscotch flavors. Bright, and a bit lively, but well-balanced by rich fruit flavors, food is an excellent companion for a bottle. Enjoy if you like the pizzazz of Sangiovese but not the earthy, dry finishes of those from Italy.

Rating: 90

Character: red fruit, bright mouthfeel, subtle tannins

Winery: Rosa D’ Oro

Grape(s): Arneis

Region: Yolo County

Year: 2009

Price: 15-20

Review:

Aromas of pear, peach, and apricot emerge on the nose. With a sip, flavors of pear and apricot merge with a few nutty suggestions and hints of minerals. A wine with a fairly round mouthfeel and lush fruit flavors, it’s geared for fans of full-bodied whites with a dry finish.

Rating: 87

Character: lush fruit, rich mouthfeel, balanced acidity

Winery: Rosa D’Oro

Grape(s): Barbera

Region: Lake County

Year: 2009

Price: 15-20

Review:

Notes of bright red berries, spice, leather, and a hint of earth rise up from a glass. A sip reveals flavors of cherry, strawberry, and plum accented by hints of leather and spice. Fairly smooth for a Barbera but the wine still exhibits the varietal’s characteristic brightness, making it a great bottle to enjoy with your favorite Italian fare.

Rating: 89

Character: red fruit, lively mouthfeel, light tannins

Winery: Rosa D’Oro

Grape(s): Primitivo

Region: Lake County

Year: 2009

Price: 15-20

Review:

A bouquet of raspberries, cherries, spice, and leather rise out a glass. Bright red berries flavors are accented by notes of spice and dusty earth on the palate. A fairly lively wine, with a nice acidity and infusion of spice, it’s ideal for pizza.

Rating: 89

Character: red fruit, lively mouthfeel, plush tannins

Winery: Rosa D’ Oro

Grape(s): Muscat Canelli

Region: Lake County

Year: 2009

Price: 15-20

Review:

On the nose, aromatics of apricot, pineapple, peach, and honeysuckle greet the senses. Flavors of peach and tropical fruit emerge on the palate, with a few floral suggestions and a hint of honey. This wine is lush with fruit and slightly sweet but it has a nice acidity and a good balance of flavors. It’s a great wine for a hot day.

Rating: 90

Character: lush fruit, slightly sweet, fairly bright mouthfeel, refreshing acidity