Description & Press Reviews:
Our most popular clairet! This comes from an estate which has been owned by the same family for many generations. Situated not far from the Dordogne and can be found at the far-end of the Entre-Deux-Mers region.
With its bright intense pink colour it is full on the nose with generous red fruits aromas including strawberries and redcurrant. In the mouth it is fresh with a medium structure, smooth tannins with a lot of fruit and a very slight hint of sweetness.
It really is a beautiful presentation of a Clairet produced in Bordeaux and is a perfect wine either as an aperitif, a BBQ or any summers day/evening.
Andrew Barrow, The Guardian
Everything's Coming Up Rose
All the retailers I spoke to yesterday were very positive about the continuing growth or switch to rosés. Bordeaux-Undiscovered, run by importer Nick Stephens, said his figures corresponded roughly with the report, with sales of rosé wines increasing 40% during 2008. Perhaps the trend is edging towards 'almost reds'. Stephens said his darker rosés, including a delightful Domain Ricaud Clairet 2005, that saw sales increase by 53%.
Fresh Escapes
Clairet is a full bodied style of Rose particular to Bordeaux and if the name sounds familiar, that's probably because it was the most common style of Bordeaux enjoyed in England until the 18th century - hence the name claret. It has a distinctive rich colour and a ripe strawberry nose. On the palate it's brimming with lovely round red fruits - cherries and a hint of rose petals; summer in a glass, great value too.
Andrew Barrow, The Observor
The Rise of Rose
On a man-acceptance scale this (colour aside), is right up there. Dry and delicious with or without food, it's a classic Claret (the ultimate real man's wine) blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (35%) and Cabernet Franc (15%); a classic Bordeaux spread but made to be a rosé rather than a red. Someone at least has been listening to what the British consumer really wants and has responded with a wine of excellent structure, fresh, clean flavours that end with raspberry jelly that also has a gorgeous mouth-feel and surprisingly good length.
Ned Halley, The Western Daily Press, Today's Tipple
The first to mention is Domaine de Ricaud Clairet 2006 at £5.75. Clairet is a Bordeaux name for rose, made by keeping the juice on the skins just long enough to impart a nice pink hue, and lots of character and flavour, too. This wine is a vivid magenta colour, smells of fruit blossom and is packed with strawberry-blackcurrant flavour. It is crunchy fresh, yet long on the finish. Easily the best rose I have tasted this year, it's simply delicious.
Clive Platman, The Birmingham Post, Food & Drink
Uncommon in the UK, a clairet is a deeper-hued rosé, benefiting from long skin contact with the juice. Fuller on, this gave deep flavours of plum infused with spice.
Charlotte Lessing, The Lady
A surprise delivery of Bordeaux wines from an online wine shop . . . for those who appreciate quality wines but can never seem to find a reliable source . . . it's intense colour is fullon the nose with red fruit aromas including strawberries and redcurrants. With smooth tannins, plenty of fruit, it has what they call "a slight hint of sweetness". Once again the sweet taste almost put me off but as I went on enjoying the frutiness and the easy drinking I thought it would be popular.
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