It had been a busy weekend. Aside from it being the Fourth of July, a family member was celebrating one of those “big” birthdays, and we had a large gathering at our home on Saturday, so on Sunday, the actual birthday, we wanted to go somewhere close to home and quiet.  We also had a few other requirements to meet the needs of our guests: dog friendly, okay for children, good wines, roomy enough to seat eight, and somewhere they hadn’t been before.  Rose Hill fit perfectly, plus, being somewhat off the main wine route, we knew it would be quiet, even on this July 4^th weekend.  Our guests had been to the location when it was Shinn, but not since the new owners and the renovation.  So off we went to Oregon Road (so-named, according to one local, because it was so remote “it might as well be in Oregon”).

We were greeted by a very friendly young man, who quickly assessed our group and showed us to a table on the shady patio, where we felt quite comfortable despite the warm day.  One member of our group, who had spent some years on the West Coast, opined that the patio had a “California vibe,” with its natural wood, flowers, and relaxed feel.  There is also a gift shop, inside a building where one pays one’s tab.  Two young shoppers assessed the offerings as “cute but pricey.”

The youngsters were supplied with their own bottle of fizzy pink lemonade ($15), which they quite enjoyed, and we ordered roasted spiced nuts (not spicy) and olives for the table, medium-sized bowls for $12 each. Meanwhile, we perused the menu (accessed through a QR code on the table) for the tasting options.   

Rose Hill (named for a street the owners had lived on) offers three flights: Summer, Classic, and Red, each featuring five wines for $30.  My husband and I decided to share the Summer flight, one guest also chose that one, and another decided on the Classic Flight (a third couple had already been to a couple of tastings, so they opted to share a glass of the Brut Rosé and a bottle of Saratoga sparkling water).

Cat, our charming and efficient waitress, brought out the flights, pointed out the tasting notes below each glass, and we began.  Of course, as happens when we do a tasting with friends, there was a lot of conversation not related to wines, so my comments might be a bit brief.  I’ll go through our selections first.

• 2024 Palmilla   $34

First and best!  This is a blend, primarily of chardonnay, plus albariño, gewürztraminer, and a little semillon, which I only know because someone (an owner?) stopped by our table, so I was able to ask.  Anyway, we all like it, noting an aroma of pineapple and other tropical fruits, and a flavor of pineapple and mango, plus some citrus.   

• 2024 Concrete Blonde                $48

I happen to know that the name refers to aging in a concrete “egg,” rather that wood or steel, which tends to give wines more depth.  In this case, the sauvignon blanc is very light, with a faint aroma of earth or clay, and some herbal flavors.  My tasting buddy likes it better than I do.

• 2024 Riesling                   $28

“Off dry” means the wine is not dry, but happily this wine, though a bit sweet, is not too sweet to sip, though I think I would prefer it paired with a nice plate of Pad Thai.  Good.

• 2024 Grüner      $28

Though One Woman’s Grüner is one of my favorite North Fork wines, this tastes quite different.  The assessment at the table is “A lot of people would not like this wine, but we do!”  It is interesting, very herbal, with an aroma that combines spice with a touch of menthol, almost medicinal.  It would pair well with a cheese tray, like the one I assembled for our party, with some of Love Lane Cheese Store’s delicious offerings, including their truffled brie, Cambazola blue, Mimolette, a smoky Gouda, and Catapano’s cranberry flavored goat cheese.

• 2024 Rose Hill Rosé      $34

This is a just okay rosé, made from merlot, dry, with the expected strawberry aromas and flavor.  A nice dish of pasta with shrimp would pair well with it.

Now to the Classic Flight, of which I had small sips.

• 2022 Brut Rosé                       $48       

This is mildly bubbly, with some nice yeasty aromas and a bit of a bready taste.  Pleasant.  It is primarily chardonnay, with some pinot noir, which gives it the pink tinge.

• 2024 Coalescence                 $28

Shinn had a wine they called Coalescence, which I really liked.  This one was judged “forgettable” by my table mates, though I thought it was okay.  It’s a blend of sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, riesling, semillon, and pinot blanc.

• 2023 Chardonnay                  $34

There are a LOT of chardonnays on the North Fork, and I would choose some of those over this one, which is assessed as “meh.”

• 2023 Mojo                 $34

This is a very light red, an unoaked cabernet franc, with tastes of pomegranate and berries and a touch of earthiness.  Nice.

• 2022 Wild Boar Doe              $52

Say the name out loud, and you will realize that this is a Bordeaux-style blend (merlot, cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot, and malbec).  It is also our other favorite of the day, which one guest describes as “juicy and delicious,” and another as “a star.”  Lots of dark fruit taste, with some notes of spice and figs.  Yum.

Reasons to visit:  pleasant setting off the beaten track; dogs allowed on the patio, though not inside; standard menu of snacks; the Palmilla and the Wild Boar Doe, in particular, though we also liked the Grüner; they have an inn, in case you want to stay the night.