Wine review: 2012 Jaboulet Parallèle 45 Côtes du Rhône rosé

If tomato growing season extends to November in California, then who’s to say that rosé season can’t extend through October? This year, more wine shops have stocked ever more rosés, and it’s been fun tasting them. One that I discovered late in the season is Parallèle 45 from the respected Rhone house of Jaboulet. Made from a blend of Grenache and Cinsault with a little Syrah, this rosé from the Côtes du Rhône is a bargain at $10.

It’s not going to outclass Domaine Tempier rosé, but for a big dinner party, this is the one. Dry and clean, it tastes of wild strawberries and gentle spices, a good foil for classic tapenade spread on toasts, vegetarian dishes, late summer pasta dishes and more. I’ve been enjoying a glass as an apéritif with some olives and toasted almonds.

Region: Rhone Valley, France

Price: About $10

Style: Dry

What it goes with: Pretty much everything but a steak

Where to find it: BestWinesOnline, (888) 817-8880, Fine Wine House in Pasadena, (877) 981-6555, K&L Wine Merchants in Hollywood, (323) 464-9463, Tarzana Wine and Spirits in Tarzana, (818) 342-0355, Total Wine & More stores; and Wine Exchange in Orange, (800) 76WINEX.

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