Top 10 Rosé 2024
Each year, I select from the list of wines that I have tasted and rated and bring you a lineup of Top 10 Rosé. They are from various regions, grape varieties and different winemaking techniques. For me, a very important quality of Rosé is refreshing, well-balanced acidity and freshness with depth of flavours and texture, which makes it a complete and enjoyable drink, especially in summer!
I would like to invite you to taste this lineup with me, look out for announcements and follow @thecandicewinechat on Instagram or @candicewinechat on Facebook for upcoming event dates.
Queenstown Tasting 4 April 6pm, seats are limited. Get your tickets now!
Auckland Tasting 5 April 6pm, seats are limited. Get your tickets now!
In no particular order, here’s my Top 10 Rosé of 2024:
Coal Pit Pinot Noir Rosé 2023, Central Otago
The highest score in the lineup, this wine has been a favourite for a few years in a row. Handpicked, 100% Pinot Noir from a high-elevation site, 90% whole bunch pressed and 10% light foot-stomp with 3 hours of skin contact to promote texture and fruit weight prior to pressing, then after 4 days of cold settling, the wine was fermented slowly and cool in stainless steel to retain fresh aromatics. Elegantly packed with fresh fruit, lightly creamy and crisp, cleaning at the same time.
- Read the full review here and shop Coal Pit Wines.
Misha’s Vineyard The Soloist Pinot Rosé 2023, Central Otago
It’s hard to go past this Rosé when naming the Top 10; it’s well-loved and highly rated for years and was the highest score in last year’s lineup. Made from clones 6 and 114, 50% of the fruit was destemmed and left on skins for 24 hours, 50% was whole bunch pressed fermented in stainless steel, and 10% was fermented in older oak to add texture and complexity. Depth and vibrant acidity carries the succulent fruit along a silky mouthfeel.
- Read the full review and shop Misha’s Vineyard Wines.
Te Kano Rosé 2022, Central Otago
The Pinot Noir fruit is sourced from their Northburn vineyard, the young vines on schist soils bring fresh acidity and delicate flavours and aromas. Winemaker Dave Sutton delicately handled the handpicked grapes to minimise the colour extraction, followed by a cool long fermented in stainless steel to preserve the delicate aromas and structure. A short period of time was spent on light lees to build mid-palate texture and depth.
- Read the full review and shop Te Kano Wines.
Wooing Tree Blondie 2023, Central Otago
Blondie is one of the most well-known Rosé in the country, known by its trademarked name, the extra pale colour and actress Reece Witherspoon claimed it’s her favourite after discovering the wine while she was in the region for a movie set. The minimum skin contact wine was fermented in stainless steel, capturing the bright fruit and freshness with a colour matching its thirst-quenching signature.
- Read the review and shop Wooing Tree Wines.
Q Wine Waitaki Valley Rosé 2023, North Otago
Q Wine Rosé is made from 100% Pinot Noir grown in the small but mighty Waitaki Valley. The limestone-based soil spread through river gravels gives a distinctive chalky mineral thread, along with a red fruit core, flora and crispy acidity. Winemaker Antony Worch fermented the pristine fruit in stainless steel with 10% fermented in seasoned oak barrels to build up texture and complexity.
- Read the full review and shop Q Wines.
Thyme Hill Bonanza Merlot Rosé 2023, Central Otago
The only Merlot producer in central Otago currently, grown on the Letts Gully Road in Alexandra. The 6 ha North facing vineyard grazes on a slope maximising sun exposure, established in the nineties by the late John Kelly. Keen grape grower Inge Diks purchased the vineyard and revived it, appointed Antony Worch as the winemaker, producing a Merlot and a Merlot Rosé.
- Read the review and shop Thyme Hill Wines.
Pyramid Valley Rosé 2022, North Canterbury
The fruit is sourced from the Waipara Springs vineyard planted in the early 90’s managed by Pyramid Valley. Old vine 10/5 Pinot Noir was whole bunch pressed, fermented with natural vineyard yeasts in a combination of concrete Tulipes and old puncheons. Then aged on its ferment lees without SO2 for 6 months prior to blending and bottling. The soft mouthfeel with a talcum-like powdery texture, slightly savoury and fresh acidity was most engaging.
- Read the review and shop Pyramid Valley Wines.
No. 1 Family Estate No. 1 Rosé Methode Traditionelle NV, Marlborough
The No.1 Family Estate has been pioneering Methode Tradionelle in Marlborough for over 40 years. Daniel Le Brun, from a heritage of winemaking in Champagne since 1684, hailed from France and chased the long white cloud in the late 70s and building a family legacy ever since. This No. 1 Rosé Methode Traditionelle NV is made from a majority of Pinot Noir. The ongoing production may see a small percentage of Chardonnay in the blend and aged on lees for 18+ months to develop a creamy mouthfeel and autolysis characters.
- Read the review and shop No.1 Family Estate Wines and Merchandises.
Takapoto Estate Crossing Point Rosé 2023, Waikato
There are less than a handful of wineries in Waikato, and they enjoy a moderately warm climate. Winemaker Alex Coldicutt created this Rosé from Cabernet Franc and Merlot, gently whole bunch pressed and fermented in stainless steel tank. The varieties provide weight and lush fruit to the palate, and the creamy mouthfeel flows effortlessly and lends a moreish finish.
- Read the review and shop Takapoto Estate Wines.
Soho WESTWOOD Rosé 2023, Waiheke Island
The fruit was from the Carter Family Jomara Vineyard in Onetangi on Waiheke Island. Syrah and Bordeaux varieties were planted on the clay soils almost two decades ago, which allowed the vineyard to be dry-farmed and delayed ripening to achieve phenolic ripeness and concentrate flavours. Winemaker James Rowen crafted this attractive wine with balance and freshness, exhibiting a savoury layer from the robust red varieties.
- Read the full review and shop Soho Wines.