From Central Otago Pinot Noir, pretty and bright in the bottle and a pale berry pink in the glass. Terrific aromatics that start off sweet like the scented interior of a lolly shop, then turn drier and crisper, with greengage, redcurrant, raspberry and ripe apricot flavours over the candy-apple notes. Off dry, with just a nudge of toffee sweetness but with a cherry, Pinot purity and drying matcha tea-like tannins. Slightly european in style, with a delicate balance, a hit of alcohol and some textural persistence to the palate. Plenty to interest here – towards the finish there are hints of chamomile, spice, marzipan and creme brulée – wow! Up there with the very best of New Zealand rosé I can recall tasting. 93pts
Rockburn ‘Stolen Kiss’ Rosé 2022
