2022 Whitehaven Marlborough Pinot Noir Rosé

VITICULTURE

Grape Growing: This Rosé is sourced from our Pinot Noir estate grown fruit on Pauls Road (Rapaura area) and Little Alfred (Southern Valleys) vineyards. The vines were trained to 2-3 cane VSP. Throughout the growing season the vines were thoughtfully managed, with open canopies and prudent crop thinning helping to create fully ripe, clean fruit come harvest time.

Climate: The 2022 growing season started with soil moisture at capacity, following an unusually wet winter which had seen flooding in parts of the region. Pleasingly, the region did not suffer any major frost events and despite conditions in November being a little wet, the warmth that went with it meant that flowering was not drawn out and resulted in good fruit set and the prospect of healthy yields. The remainder of the season was punctuated by cooler weather and rainfall events, and we were vigilant around disease pressure as we entered the harvest period. Harvest was later this year and Brix accumulation was slow. We experienced another rain event in the final third of March which then required us to harvest as quickly as possible in many blocks to retain pure fruit expression. This is where Whitehaven’s new receival building came to the fore, allowing greater throughput while maintain the quality focus and attention to detail that Whitehaven prides itself on.

Harvest Date: Multiple pick dates from the 15^th to 17^th   March 2022  

VINIFICATION

Winemaking: The fruit was machine-harvested, destemmed, and pressed at the winery to ensure the desired level of colour and flavour extraction. Using only the early ‘free run’ juice, fermentation was at cool temperatures with selected yeast to create a wine with pure fruit flavours and freshness.

ACCOLADES

• Aromas of strawberry and red apple, papaya and apricot lead to a palate of the same with a vibrant youthful texture from acidity and contrasting satin fruit mouthfeel. Well made, new and fresh, a wine for summer 2023 and 2024. Cameron Douglas, MS, NZ, 92/100 Pts.
• Bright, pale blush pink, even colour throughout. The nose is intense and vibrant with aromas of strawberry, raspberry, rose petals and lily. Medium-bodied, dry to taste, aromas of raspberry and strawberry melded with a hint of cream, rose petals and lily. Mouth-watering acidity provides good energy and drives to a crisp, fragranced finish. This dry Pinot Noir Rosé is crisp and generous, packed with red fruit on a creamy, delicate palate. Serve as an aperitif or match with sushi Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Wine Reviews, 18.5/20 pts (93 pts).
• Lightly-tinted rosé that is dry and flavoursome with lime, raspberry and slightly green strawberry characters. Good food wine with tangy, mouth-watering acidity helping to drive a lengthy finish.  Bob Campbell, 91/100, Sept 2022.
• A perfumed floral nose of rose, violet, sliced strawberries and lemon peel. Medium-bodied with salty mineral notes. Creamy texture and red berry character. Simple and easygoing. Sustainable. Vegan. Drink now. Screw cap. James Suckling, Sept 2022 

• For a young wine, 2022 is the best Whitehaven Rosé ever made, and it pushes the boundaries of pale colour and dryness, providing a surprising depth of flavour in such a light-hued pink wine. Winemaker Peter Jackson (not the film guy) gave the grapes minimum skin contact, which is where the light colour comes from, but he has somehow coaxed maximum flavour from the grapes, all Pinot Noir, as in most New Zealand pink wines. Lively, lovely and dangerously drinkable. Graze with: Goat’s chevre with honey with seed crackers. Dine with: Goat’s cheese tart with slow-roasted tomatoes, pine nuts, and caramelised onion.  Joelle Thomson, Jan 2023, 18.5/20 Pts.

• Super pale in colour with fabulous aromatics, the wine shows raspberry, red apple, nectarine and white floral nuances on the nose, leading to a finely focused palate offering pristine fruit flavours with bright acidity, finishing lingering with charming flavours. Sam Kim, 93/100 Pts, 5 stars
  
  
• Cuisine Tasting 2022, 4 stars
• Michael Cooper, NZ, 4 stars