Maddalena is a wine label owned by the Riboli Family Wine Estates.  The 2005 Syrah Rose' was a very good wine at a very attractive price.  For all the skeptical readers out there who think all rose' wine is cheap, uninteresting, "girly-girl" wine, you all need to think again and open your minds and palates.  In some parts of the world, such as the French Riviera, rose' wines are well made, highly respected, interesting, and educated wine consumers pay top dollar for them.  We have lagged behing Europe for centuries when it comes to Rose's, with most Americans having only been exposed through the abomination known as "white zin".

The Maddalena Vineyard Syrah Rose' 2005 could easily pass for a nice rose from France or Spain.  It is made from Syrah grapes from the Steinbeck Vineyard in Paso Robles, California (central coast).   This area is becoming a hot-bed for high quality Syrah.  The wine has a medium pink color, and a lovely bouquet of canteloupe, peach, and strawberry.  The light fruits carry onto the palate.  There is enough acidity to keep this wine crisp and refreshing.  This is a great outdoor summertime wine, especially when the mercury is rising.  The wine should be served moderately chilled, but not ice cold.  Too much refrigeration will stunt the beautiful bouquet.  The finish on the wine is clean, somewhat short, but entirely pleasant.

One of the best attributes of this wine is it's value oriented price.  Full suggested retail is $9.95.  The wine can be found at local retailers, or by visiting the winery's historic tasting room and restaurant in downtown Los Angeles , located at 737 Lamar Street in Downtown Los Angeles (phone 323-223-1401).  The winery was built in 1917 in Los Angeles, back when there were vineyards in the adjacent hills and valleys.  All of the nearby vineyards are long gone, but the wine making facility is still present in its original location, and is used by the Riboli family to make wines from grapes grown in the family's vineyards in the more conventional wine growing districts of Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles, Monterrey, and the central California coast.  Other wine labels owned by the family include Riboli Family Vineyards (Napa), Santo Stefano (Sonoma), Aliento del Sol, Maddalena, and San Simeon.  Virtually all of the grapes for the family's wines are from estate vineyards.

2005 Syrah Rose Maddalena Vineyard (Paso Robles):  3 stars

 

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