The reason we began making wine together as Railsback Frères was to
produce a rosé-- specifically one in Santa Ynez-- and inspired by Lulu Peyraud
and the old style of rosé they produced at the legendary Domaine Tempier in Bandol.
In 2021 all three Mediterranean varieties we harvest for rosé came in at what
we consider optimal ripeness levels, and thanks to the addition of a new
vineyard site, we now have even more Mourvédre in the cépage this year.
Compared to the previous harvest of 2020 overall, 2021 was cooler-- and
after quietly resting for six months in neutral Burgundy barrels, our Les Rascasses
is lively, floral and bright. Having achieved a secondary (malolactic) fermentation
without any difficulty this year, the texture and body offer a nice equilibrium to
such a fresh vintage, and certainly make pairing even easier at the table. Tasting
it on release after the winter offers early excitement for spring artichokes, and
early garden peas and lettuces...not to mention the later arrivals of summer squash
with garlic and basil, or peak-of-season tomatoes drenched in a fruity Provençal olive oil.
We are invigorated by the early results of our 2021 rosé and can't wait to share it with you.
Sharing the new vintage of “Les Rascasses” with people we love would make Lulu proud!