Somewhat of a mixed assortment for your delectation today, as much by expediency as by design. 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 Price RRP $35 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. www.quartzreef.co.nz 2022 Zephyr Mk I Organic Marlborough Rose Price RRP $23.99 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. www.zephyrwine.com 2024 Hunter’s Marlborough Rose Price RRP $20.90 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. www.hunters.co.nz 2021 Mount Edward Central Otago Chenin Blanc Price RRP $39 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. www.mountedward.com NV Ted by Mount Edward Pet-Nat Price RRP $39 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. www.mountedward.com NV Mount Edward Pinot Blanc Pet-Nat Price RRP $45 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. www.mountedward.com
