Chef Jim Shirley ‘s history with the Bilbro wine family is a long and flavorful one. Well before Jake Bilbro’s Limerick Lane Wines came into being, young Shirley spent time pig hunting around the Bilbro property in Mendocino, Calif., collecting porcini mushrooms and dodging wild hogs with Jake’s father, Chris. As Shirley tells it, Chris was the mushroom guru. Conversations over the years between Shirley and Jake centered not so much on mushrooms and pigs as on Jake’s passion, wine. He spoke of making a new label many times.
Following a trip to the Provence region of France and specifically after enjoying many bottles of rosé in the small village of Cassis, known for its wine and seafood, Jake returned to the States committed to making “true” rosé, not a saignee or “bleed” of pinot noir or zinfandel. Jake explained, “The grapes were grown and picked specifically for this wine. Our goal start to finish, was to create a wine that somehow brings the feelings and flavors of the rosé and mussels in the open-air restaurants in Cassis to our homes, back yards and tables here.”
Shirley gathered some of his staff for a tasting. And they confirmed that the Rosé of Syrah was in fact the best rosé they had ever tasted. It has an aroma of wet stone and grapefruit zest, which brings a pure and refreshing beginning to the raising of a glass. The flavors of Meyer lemon, fresh strawberry and limestone instantly act in agreement to the aroma at the first sip. The clean finish of this rosé allows you to savor almost any cuisine while drinking it.
Summer in Seaside is beautiful, just right for sipping rosé outside, sharing small plates and lingering for hours. The Rosé of Syrah is the perfect wine to savor while socializing at 45 Central Wine Bar. Best enjoyed while paired with people-watching from the patio.