Waiana Estate ‘Indian Summer’ Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2018
‘Indian Summer’ is a rosé wine brand of Waiana Estate, the Plowman family’s foray into making authentic Provencal-style wines. The Plowmans have 5.26 ha of vines on their 25 ha Tukituki Valley estate, planted mainly to Merlot and Malbec in 2000, but have Cinsault and Grenache coming on stream. Their first rosé vintage was in 2013. This time last year, I reviewed the 2017 vintage, made from 100% Merlot, and I thought it very Provencal-like (click here to see the review). The vineyard is tended by Dave Werry, and the wines are made by Dave McKee of Black Barn. This year’s ‘Indian Summer’ is a Pinot Gris and Merlot blend. Nicholas Plowman tells me there are two other 2018 rosé blends yet to be released, which can be seen on their website, these being a ‘Summer Sault’, based on Cinsault, and an ‘Indian Summer Private Blend’ incorporating extended lees contact and barrel maturation. Here, I review the newly released 2018 ‘Indian Summer’ Rosé. www.indian-summer.co.nz
Waiana Estate ‘Indian Summer’ Tukituki Valley Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2018
Very pale pink colour with slight eye-of-the-partridge hues, colourless on the rim. The nose is elegant in proportion with tightly bound and delicate aromas of white stonefruits with subtle notes of red berry fruit and soft red florals, along with thirst-quenching minerals. The aromatics build in intensity to form a firm core. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate has a positive heart with subtle red floral and red berry fruit flavours underpinned by white stonefruits and minerals. The fruit extract forms a slightly phenolic line which lends the palate dry, mouthwatering textures. The acidity is balanced and enlivens the mouthfeel, carrying the wine to a dry, lingering finish. This is a crisp, dry, fresh, textured and thirst-quenching rosé in the Provence style with subtle red floral, berry and minerally notes. Serve as an aperitif, with canapés and antipasto over the next 2 years. A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Pinot Gris, primarily from Waiana Estate, undergoing a fermentation regime including co-fermentation and the blending of varied yeast and press factions to 12.5% alc. and <1.0g/L RS, the wine aged 6 months on light lees. 18.0-/20 Nov 2018 RRP $19.99