Senior editor and tasting director Bruce Sanderson joined Wine Spectator in 1993. His tasting beats are Burgundy, Italy and Germany.

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An Easy-Drinking, Fruity Rosé

Fattoria Ambra Rosato di Carmignano Vin Ruspo 2008

Bruce Sanderson
Posted: June 10, 2009

There are a few new wine bars in my New York neighborhood, one of which transformed from its previous incarnation, Bar Milano, into 'inoteca. I was meeting a friend for a glass of wine so I decided to try the new concept.

The list offered three rosés. I settled for the Ambra Vin Ruspo 2008, an Italian blend of Sangiovese (80 percent), Cabernet Sauvignon (10 percent) and Canaiolo Nero (10 percent). It was deep in color, more so than its Provençal cousins, with immediate cherry fruit on a round soft profile. It was a bit short, delivering more up-front gratification than length to savor. I rated it 86 points, non-blind.

However, at $8 on the list, I wasn't disappointed. You can find it at retail for about $11 to $12. And 'inoteca offers enough other interesting wines to make a second visit worthwhile.

WineSpectator.com members: Get our quick list of Top Values among recently rated rosés.