Waiana Estate ‘Indian Summer’ Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2017
Waiana Estate is the specialist rosé label of the Plowman family who have 5.26 ha of vines on their 25 ha Tukituki Valley estate in Hawke’s Bay. The Plowmans intention is to produce rosé that stands among the best in the county and alongside the best Provençal-styled examples. Merlot and Malbec vines were planted in 2000, and the Plowmans will use Cinsault and Grenache in future bottlings from vines recently planted to become closer to the Provençal wines. At present, the wine made is 100% Merlot, the first vintage being the 2013. The vineyard is tended by Dave Werry, ex Montana, and the wines made by Dave McKee of Black Barn. Here, I review the new 2017 vintage. www.indian-summer.co.nz
Waiana Estate ‘Indian Summer’ Tukituki Valley Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2017 (4 Stars) ****
Very pale salmon-pink colour, very light-edged. The nose is very delicate with subtle aroma of white stonefruits with suggestions of red berry fruit and red florals with an overlay of thirst-quenching nutty less and mineral elements. Bone-dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate is mouthwatering with flavours of stonefruits with hints of berry fruit and nutty, mineral notes. The palate has fine, dry phenolic textures and crisp acidity, showing good vinous presence. The wine flows positively with linear drive leading to a lingering finish of stonefruits and minerals. This is a Provencal-style dry rosé with delicate fruit flavours and mouthwatering phenolics with crisp acidity, good vinosity and linearity. Serve as an aperitif or with antipasto over the next 2 year. 100% Merlot cool-fermented in stainless-steel to 12.3% alc. and 0.37 g/L RS. 17.5/20 Oct 2017 RRP $25.00