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Belle Glos Pinot Noir Blanc Œil de Perdrix

  • Jun 29
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jul 7

(pronounced uh-YUH duh pair-DREE) — French for "eye of the partridge."





At a Glance


Producer: Belle Glos (Wagner Family of Wine)

Region: California

Winemaker: Joe Wagner

Grape: 100% pinot noir

Vintage: 2024

Alcohol: 14.5%


Why This Wine?


This one actually started with two of our favorite regulars.


Michelle, our very first Wine Club member, introduced us to Belle Glos through their Clark & Telephone pinot noir.


We were hooked. I'm sure this one will make an appearance for our wine club members in the future.


Then Katie told us about Belle Glos Pinot Noir Blanc Œil de Perdrix. Listen friends, Katie is no fool.


What to Look For

Don't expect a pale, delicate rosé. Belle Glos leans into ripe California fruit with aromas and flavors of strawberry, watermelon, peach, apricot and orange blossom. It's rich, silky and surprisingly full-bodied for a rosé, while still finishing fresh enough to keep you coming back for another sip.


I love how much this wine lingered. I've only recently become civilized enough to drink chilled wines when it's hotter than Hades outside. So, I expected something light and fleeting. Instead, every sip seemed to stick around, making me slow down and pay attention. A perfect bridge for me to move from big reds to whites.


Something I Learned

This wine's name was my introduction to the French style called Œil de Perdrix—literally, "eye of the partridge." Traditionally, it refers to a very pale rosé, often made from pinot noir with just enough skin contact to give it the soft pink-gray color of a partridge's eye.


Then Belle Glos came along and...


Well...


Belle Glos does what Belle Glos wants.


Instead of making a pale, delicate rosé in the traditional style, they leaned into the richer California wines they're known for.


I think of this bottle as their Californian interpretation of Œil de Perdrix.


Part of me wants to roll my eyes.


The other part kind of loves that they make their own rules.


The Wagner family has helped define a bold California style. Whether it's Caymus, Belle Glos, Conundrum, Bonanza, or many of the other wines they've created, they aren't trying to copy Europe. They're making wines that celebrate California fruit on California's own terms.


I'm excited to dive into the world of rosés. So many different grapes and styles to explore. This one exists on the far end of the bold and richness scale – a place I tend to gravitate towards. It was a perfect bridge from big, bold reds to chilled whites. But it's hotter than hell in Galesburg, Illinois, today and we're heading over to Grandma Mary's backyard to celebrate Sam's 51st trip around the sun. So, I think I'll reach for a lighter rosé tonight. But I would never turn down a glass of this wine if someone was pouring it!



Pair With

This bottle is very versatile. Try it with grilled salmon, shrimp, roast chicken, creamy pastas, charcuterie, fresh summer salads, or a patio full of friends. It's also one of those rare wines that feels just as comfortable on a hot July afternoon as it does with Thanksgiving dinner.


What Other People Are Tasting


Here are a few things that stood out to some experienced palates:


Winemaker Notes

"Fresh strawberry, peach, watermelon and citrus blossom layered over a rich, silky palate with vibrant acidity."

Wine Enthusiast

"Ripe red fruit and stone fruit flavors with impressive texture and a long, refreshing finish."

Curious?

If you'd like to keep exploring, these are some of the places I found helpful while learning more about this wine.


 
 
 

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