Today we share the beautiful wines of ROCO, the brainchild of eminent winemaker Rollin Soles. Rollin comes off as extremely kind-hearted and has a wonderful sense of humor. I’ve been fortunate to have tasted his Argyle wines back to the late 1990s, as the ‘Extended Tirage’ wines that he made were some of the finest bubbles you will find in North America.
With the 2013 vintage Rollin was able to craft his first sparkling wine for his label, the ‘RMS.’ As a wine critic I was unabashedly licking my chops when I found out that Rollin was going to make aged sparkling wine. RMS wines are aged for 2.5 years before being disgorged. Rollin has had great success with his ROCO wines as he and his wife sold their winery to Santa Margarita winery earlier in 2022. There is very good reason why these giants of Italy took interest in this winery that has been consistently producing great wines.
I am enamored by the 2021 ROCO ’RMS’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 96) which is a totally stunning new wine with amazing richness and verve. Learn more about these incredible wines at rocowinery.com and here are my notes from the new release wines by ROCO.
2021 ROCO ‘RMS’ Sparkling Wine- The 2021 ‘RMS’ is a stunning blend of 66% Chardonnay with the remainder Pinot Noir. Like the 2020 edition, this is a salty, tension-laden bottling that is drinking marvelously right now. A light effervescence greets you alongside salted Macadamia nut and marzipan combine with honeycomb, kumquat zest and shades of cantaloupe on the palate. Full-bodied, with serious verve and richness, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2025-2034- 96
2021 ROCO ‘RMS’ Rose Sparkling Wine- A beautiful salmon hue and made from mostly Pinot Noir grapes, this gorgeous 2021 Rose Sparkling Wine opens with beautiful red florals and red currants, woven together with Mandarin orange rind and juicy peach. The soft mousse entices as delicate red fruits are woven together with shades of pink grapefruit zest, red rose water and shades of salty soils. A delicious, complex wine that is drinking marvelously now, enjoy over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2036- 95
2021 ROCO ‘RMS’ Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine- This is the finest Blanc de Blancs that you will taste in the Pacific Northwest as the 2021 ‘RMS’ dazzles with its great tension and silky mousse on the approach. Loaded with citrus fruits, with green papaya, marzipan and ginger notes, enjoy this refined Blanc de Blancs now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2034- 95
2021 ROCO Marsh Estate Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2021 Marsh Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir is sourced from the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. Lush and round on the mouth, this is loaded with bright red fruits with blood orange zest and salty minerals, with hints of wet rock. Very delicious, round and generous, enjoy over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2036- 94
2021 ROCO ‘Knudsen Vineyards’ Pinot Noir- Set in the Dundee Hills, the 2021 ‘Knudsen Vineyards’ comes from this site set between 600-800 feet, utilizing Dijon clone Pinot Noir. This has wonderful volcanic soil character throughout the palate, offering cran-pomegranate, damp earth and dried herbal tones on the palate. Nicely textured, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2034- 93
2021 ROCO ‘Private Stash No. 18’ Pinot Noir- The 2021 ‘Private Stash’ is a barrel selection wine that is now in its 18th edition. It is a world-class Pinot Noir, loaded with juicy black and red fruits alongside forest floor, anise and Satsuma oranges. It is full-bodied and hedonistic, absolutely speaking to the warmth of the vintage. Enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2040- 95