'The Sharpest Thorn' Sangiovese Rosé 2021
'The Sharpest Thorn' Sangiovese Rosé 2021
With much encouragement (insistence) from my Mum and younger sister, I decided to make my first rosé from sangiovese in 2019, as my favourite examples from Italy and Australia come from this. Heathcote is the only region I consider buying sangiovese from. The reason I love sangiovese as a rosé variety is that you can get a lovely pale slightly bronze colour, plenty of fresh red fruits but also a dry somewhat savoury expression. For this vintage I was able to source grapes from the Willoughby Bridge vineyard in Colbinabbin.
Fruit was harvested at optimum ripeness to preserve freshness. The maceration was literally the time it took me to drive the fruit back from the vineyard to the winery and send the grapes to press, about three hours. After juice settling, two mature red barriques were filled and the rest to stainless steel for fermentation. The wine was blended then bottled in August.
There is a saying that goes something like, “the most beautiful rose can have the sharpest thorn”. Much like the name for my pinot grigio, the image I was attempting to convey was that though this is a lovely pretty and bright rosé it is dry and has a bit of bite to it. It also means that no matter how perfect something may seem there is always another side to it.
Gary Walsh - The Wine Front
”Cherry, strawberry, dusty spices, a little fennel and floral perfume. It’s firm and has gently powdery tannin grip, a subtle and pleasing amaro bitterness, balanced acidity, and a dry finish of solid length. I like the texture here, and I like the wine.” 93 points
Andrew Graham - Oz Wine Review
”A successful Heathcote pink from James Scarcebrook’s burgeoning range. It’s a generous, coppery, soft edged rosé that manages to be both dry and yet creamy edged and red fruited and vinous. Well done.” 92 points
Jeni Port - Wine Companion
”Sourced from the Willoughby Bridge vineyard. Fermented in both stainless steel and mature barriques. A bold sangiovese rosé in both colour (copper pink) and flavour. Reaches in and explores rose petal, musk, sour cherry, plum and pomegranate with a distinct dusty earthiness that helps bring added depth. Acidity is bright as a button.” 89 points
Huon Hooke - The Real Review
”Interesting colour: medium to full salmon-pink with a trace of amber. The bouquet is savoury, with traces of briar and nettles, some dried herbs, while the palate is likewise savoury and properly dry, with a notable grip from tannin which leaves a slightly bitter aftertaste. There is flavour and distinctiveness here. A good food wine.” 89 points
Steve Lesczyzinski - Q Wine Reviews
”A glass of this Rosé would give some antipasto a good shake. Mandarin peel, the white bit of the strawberry, dried red currants, red apples and a white chocolate creaminess all reach out for your attention. There's something about its presence that just doesn't give that ultimate flow factor. Long and persistent, a slight spice ticks along on close. It would be better with food.” 89 points
Bronze Medal - Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show 2021
