Brokenwood Nebbiolo Rosato 2024

Brokenwood’s Rosato is a rosé with an Italian accent, and it has become a hit since its first release more than a decade ago. The name is Italian for rosé, and the wine is a blend of two Italian varieties, Sangiovese, at about 55%, and Nebbiolo, at about 45%, with fruit from Beechworth and the Hunter Valley. In some vintages a little Tempranillo has also joined the blend. The winemakers wanted a European-style wine with a touch of fruit sweetness but a dry finish, with minimal residual sugar. To get there they partially crush the fruit by foot-stomping, let the juice and skins steep overnight, then press to tank, ferment most of the wine in stainless steel and a small portion in old oak. It is bottled young at around 12.5% alcohol, and Brokenwood even recommend it out of a magnum.

The result is a pale coral wine with fragrant, floral aromas. The Nebbiolo gives Turkish delight and rose water over red cherry, strawberry and watermelon, and the palate adds vibrant ginger spice, zesty acidity and a hint of savoury tannin on a dry, slightly chalky finish.