2019 Tonic Rose

70% Grenache from both McLaren Vale and The Clare Valley have been blended with 30% Mataro from Norm’s Block in Armagh, Clare. The grapes were crushed and immediately basket pressed, giving the juice sufficient time in contact with the red grape skins for it to pick up that that burnished salmon colour. The wine spent 5 months in old barrels before being sent to this very stylish bottle and sealed with a cork. It’s savoury and structures and thirst crushing. A dead serious Rose tracking more toward Bandol than Provence in style.

Strawberry, cherry, a little creamy to smell, orange peel and fennel tips. It’s smooth and gentle, fine powdery texture, fresh strawberry and redcurrant, slightly earthy and savoury, turning fleshy and firm on a solid finish. Great to drink. Well sophisticated. – 93 points, Gary Walsh, The Winefront