It can lead to issues of seasonality though. Have I submitted a column of "summer sippers" only to discover that the weather is ghastly? Rose can fall into that trap too, but I remain optimistic. As a wine style, it is very much "sunshine in a glass", so the wines can step up to the plate, even if Mother Nature does not!
2022 Leefield Station Marlborough Pinot Noir Rose
Rating Excellent
Delightfully floral
and fragrant, hints of
wild rose, summer
fruits, peach, a
touch of icing sugar.
The theme
continues on the
palate, peach,
summer fruits, gum,
spices, ripely fruited
yet dry rather than
sweet. Freshness
and vibrancy and
rather nicely done.
Simply in a lovely
place for summer
drinking.
www.marisco.co.nz/collections/leefield-station
2023 Ruru Central Otago Rose
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Strawberry, a darker
influence hinting at an
umami quality, a touch
of spice later. Nicely
creamy mouthfeel on
a lighter-bodied frame
with a tangy influence
that lends a cooling
feel to this. Finer in
style yet everything in
balance. This fattens
up and puts on weight
as it breathes,
retaining super
freshness on the
finish. Works really
well.
2023 Riverby Estate Single Vineyard Marlborough Rose
Rating Excellent
Fascinating nose,
dances between
strawberries and
cream, peach and
citrussy aspects before
a savoury quality
appears. An initial hint
of fruit sweetness
before the racy acidity
kicks in. Fresh, bright,
boiled sweets,
strawberry, stone fruit
notes coming into play
too with a tiny prickle
of spritz. Deceptive
persistence, long finish
and nicely balanced.
Rather nicely done.
2023 Emma by Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Rose
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Drier impression, red
apple, apple skin,
dustiness, a bowl of red
berries. Pear, apple, an
almost grainy
chewiness, racy acidity
and deceptive intensity
that grows in the glass.
Very interesting wine
that hits a different
expression, an almost
crossover style to a
richer white wine.
Fascinating, serious and
I suspect very
complementary with
food.
2023 Jules Taylor The Jules Rose
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Subtle off the bat but
opens up nicely to red
fruits, cream and
wisps of musk.
Lighter-bodied style
but it’s well balanced.
There’s an engaging
tartness here that
keeps this fresh, quite
dry and picking up a
nutty, almondy aspect
on the close. Right in
the slot to enjoy and
with that tangy quality
should be great with
food, even roast chook
perhaps.
2023 Babydoll Marlborough Rose
Rating Very Good
A gentleness to the
nose, teasing out
aromas of apple,
nuttiness, bush
honey and
fragrance; later fruit
lozenge and a
piquant note. Plays
in the sweet ‘n sour
spectrum, that tangy
freshness neatly
balanced by
honeyed fruit
sweetness. Fresh,
clean as a whistle
and knocking on the
door, ready to be
enjoyed.
2022 McArthur Ridge Lilico Central Otago Pinot Noir Rose
Rating Excellent
Peach and stone fruits
lead, fragrance, red
berries, a savoury
nuance as it opens.
Some evident
sweetness on entry
then the acidity races in
to keep this on point.
Almost fatness that
lends this flavour depth
and a mouth-filling
quality. With further
aeration there’s greater
freshness and a nicely
tingly close. I can see
this capturing a few
hearts.
2023 Carrick Organic Bannockburn Pinot Noir Rose
Rating Very Good to Excellent
A touch of wildness, red
fruits, savoury nuances,
smoke, white flowers
later. The palate leads
with apple & nectarine, a
lanolin-like aspect
lending fatness and
textural richness, while
an apricot kernel-like
bittersweet quality
frames the dry close.
Plays a slightly different
tune and another wine
that grows with aeration.
Round, open and ready
to enjoy.
