Regular readers will know that I generally taste groups of wines of a similar style or grape variety together, which can lead to having extra tasting notes that I can’t quite fit into a column: like today.
My sense of order invariably seeks themes though and we have two trios: three roses that have crossed my path recently and reminded me of the pleasure to be had in this wine year-round.
Secondly, a trio from Gibbston-based producer Mount Edward which not only has a soft spot for chenin blanc, but is also in the vanguard of the Pet-Nat movement.
Enjoy!
2023 Quartz Reef Bendigo Pinot Rose
Rating Excellent
Stony minerality leads,
growing perfume,
stonefruit notes
coming into play. The
nose infers crispness,
but the texture is dense
and creamy, mixing
stonefruits with a little
redcurrant. Powerfully
expressed, rich, dry,
with an engaging
bittersweet aspect
adding to the long
finish. Not a fruit bomb;
more about structure,
complexity and food
friendliness.
2022 Zephyr Mk I Organic Marlborough Rose
Rating Excellent
Another wine that has
subtlety but complexity.
Fruit jube, apple, bread
dough, mandarin, a little
umami quality too. The
pale colour belies the
depth of flavour with
apple & mandarin
leading the charge,
minerality joining in,
deceptive richness
and some nice
chewy grip adding
refreshing piquancy
as it opens. comes
across as serious,
yet at the same time
great drinkability.
2024 Hunter’s Marlborough Rose
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Young, youthfully
expressed, initially with a
bubble gum like ester that
quickly shifts to apple &
berry fruits with a
garnish of cracked
pepper. Fresh as a
daisy, bright, fruit
driven with a touch of
fruit sweetness
seeing this close just
off-dry. Honest, heart
on its sleeve stuff
that is open and
already ready to
enjoy. Great crowd
appeal.
2021 Mount Edward Central Otago Chenin Blanc
Rating Outstanding
Fascinating nose, apple
& dry honey, marzipan,
clay like earthiness, a
perception of dryness,
quince with air. Dry,
powerfully expressed
yet light on it feet,
textural richness on a
schisty/mineral core,
with a crunchy feel
developing on the
close. The palate
follow the path of the
nose, adding clotted
cream with a very
long finish.
Distinctively different,
memorable.
NV Ted by Mount Edward Pet-Nat
Rating Excellent
An attractive melange of
fruit and yeast
complexities. Strawberry
& stonefruits, some
warm baguette yeast
type influences, fresh
and engaging. Good
flatter intensity &
mousse, picking up a
strong, nutty quality
— cashew to the
fore almond & brazil
nut too, adding a
bittersweet quality to
the long finish. Nice
energy, dry, full of
interest and appeal.
NV Mount Edward Pinot Blanc Pet-Nat
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Subtle at first, stone fruit
elements begin to evolve,
a touch of musk and red
apple joining the mix,
with light, nutty
nuances. Tangy &
zesty, a nice acid line
here, lovely & fresh.
Nutty aspects start to
reveal themselves at
it opens out
garnering citrus
elements as it takes
on some air. Quite
simply, very
enjoyable drinking
that is hard to put
down.
