Kevin - Wine Specialist, Pasadena
When autumn arrives in SoCal, we think of three things: post-season baseball, pro and college football seasons starting, and something delicious to wash down all the indulgent tailgate-type food that accompanies the sporty fun! And, in our current economy, we want the price lower than our bullpen's ERA.
Enter the 2025 Cass Estate Rose "Oasis"!
We have long been big fans of Cass Winery, and their Rhone varietal wines always overdeliver on bold, spicy flavors and full-bodied richness. They've really scored on this Provence-style rose, made from the classic Mourvedre and Grenache blend that made the south of France famous for pink wines.
The winemaking team at Cass goes all-out on this beauty, picking at night and pressing off the cool juice quickly, followed by keeping the juice on dry ice at near-freezing temperatures. They feel this treatment keeps the acid and fruit in perfect balance, and I'm not prepared to argue with them!
The nose teases with notes of watermelon, pink grapefruit, and hibiscus. The palate is a burst of tart pomegranate and cranberry giving way to a refreshing finish of tangerine sorbet and salty minerality.
As for food pairings, this crisp but luscious wine complements anything on the pot-luck table: wings, burgers, pizza, spicy and sweet BBQ, or spicy and earthy Mexican dishes. If you can find food that doesn't go with this wine, you're trying too hard!
To top it all off, it features a screw cap for easy access and a rock-bottom price, making it painless to twist open another bottle.
When it's time to gather and gulp, follow Garth Brooks' advice and "Head on down to the OASIS" !
