Esk Valley, Hawkes Bay

rose (merlot/malbec) 2010

This wine is from sites all over the Hawkes Bay region with each of them bringing their own characteristics to the finished wine. The vines are grown on shingle soils and managed intensively with both shoot and bunch thinning the norm. Harvest was conducted in ideal conditions between 4th and 23rd of March two weeks late after a cool and wet summer.

WINEMAKING

The juice for this wine was given a brief period of skin contact to extract the necessary colour, before being drained from the skins and fermented as a white wine. The fermentation was conducted at cool temperatures to retain the vibrant red fruit flavours, always found in our Esk Valley Merlot/ Malbec Rosé. The ferment was stopped when almost dry, leaving a small quantity of residual sugar to balance the finished wine. Filtered soon after fermentation, the wine was bottled as soon as possible to capture the essence of the 2010 harvest. 

WINEMAKER'S COMMENT

This dry style Rosé is widely regarded as New Zealand’s premium Rosé, having won many awards over the years since its first vintage in 1991. It is excellent with most foods or as an aperitif. Aromas of strawberry and red fruits predominate while a hint of spice from the inclusion of a small percentage of Malbec adds complexity. The wine is full bodied with excellent acidity and freshness. Serve chilled.

FOOD MATCH

Very versatile. Try with summer al fresco fare, smoked fish and meat, pork or white dishes. Great as an aperitif. 

IDEAL DRINKING

Enjoy from 2010 - 2012. 

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Region: Hawkes Bay
Variety: 94% Merlot, 6% Malbec
Alcohol: 14.0%
pH: 3.37
Total acidity: 5.93 gL
Residual sugar: 4.0 g/L