Score: 88/100
The 100% Pinot Noir grapes for this wine by Spy Valley are handpicked from the Johnson Vineyard in Waihopai Valley of the Marlborough region, New Zealand.
90% of the grapes are whole cluster pressed and the remainder is drained off skins immediately after harvest, allowing just a very short contact with the skins to extract some color.
A small portion of the wine is fermented in oak to give it some richness, but the aimed-at style is clearly ’Dry Rosé’ so most of it goes through stainless steel tanks.
For more perspective on this wine, find our review of its previous vintage with the tasting notes of 2015 Spy Valley Pinot Noir Rosé.
Tasting notes
The color of the rosé wine is simply delightful!
A pale salmon color full of elegance that suggests a dry style. Together with the modernly-designed black label, it makes for a very lean and nice presentation.
The aromatic profile is both mineral and very fruity.
There is a mineral iodine ‘salty’ feel to the nose, making it subtle and reminding of an ocean breeze. Not a bad thought while sniffing rosé!!
But the nose doesn’t stop there, there is also very intense strawberry and passion fruit aromas. Like a strawberry and passion fruit purée crumble cake. Surprising!
As expected, the palate is rather dry, with solid crispy acidity but well balanced out by an almost-imperceptible touch of sweetness. So it feels dry enough to be elegantly paired with food, without feeling aggressive at all. Rather smooth I’d say instead!
Nice and refreshing mouthfeel, with slightly drying phenolics to the finish that makes you salivate. Yes, this is definitely a food-friendly rosé but one that does work well on its own too, thanks to its smoothness.
Overall
A very enjoyable wine, clean, fruity, refreshing and well made.
The only surprise is to find flavors that clearly remind of Sauvignon Blanc in this pink Pinot Noir. Perhaps the Marlborough signature!?!
Technical Facts
Residual Sugar: 2.7 g/L
pH: 3.29
Titrable Acidity: 6.6 g/L
Alcohol content: 13.0 % abv
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