£13.95–£16.99, Alexander Hadleigh, Drinks Direct, Latitude Wine & Liquor, Vin Neuf, Australian Wines Online, Fine Wine Direct, North & South Wines, Iconic Wines
Choosing a single rosé to highlight ahead of this summer's (slightly late) round-up of rosés was difficult – not least because just when I was beginning to wonder if I might be getting a bit jaded with Provence rosés, I tasted some crackers.
But I finally settled on this Barossa Grenache rosé because, although it's not new (Rufus & Rogers dates from 2007), it's new to me and it defies any lingering outdated stereotypes of Australian wine.
It's pale, light bodied – only 11.5% abv – and yet expressive, with bitter cherry and rose on the nose and a bone dry, appealingly supple palate fused with refreshing tart red berry fruit and a lightly salty, citrus-peel finish.
Deliciously easy to drink as it is (gouleyant as the French say), a lot of effort has gone into it. The grapes are hand-picked from bush vines in the northern Barossa, held in the press for two hours to produce the delicate colour then pressed directly to barrel (older Hungarian and French hogsheads). Fermentation is with wild yeasts and the wine is aged on lees, with bâtonnage, for 9 months.
The people behind it are the head of the famous family-owned Yalumba winery, Robert Hill-Smith, and British gastropub pioneer and entrepreneur Rupert Clevely.
I have no idea why they've called themselves Rogers and Rufus but I can advise when to drink their wine – and that's almost any time. If you want to take it to the table, keep the food light, fresh and unfussy: simple fish, salads, prosciutto, whipped hummus – that sort of thing. 11.5%. Empty bottle weight: 767g
Rogers & Rufus Rosé Grenache of Barossa 2022, Australia
£13.95, Alexander Hadleigh; £14.95, Vin Neuf; £14.98, Drinks Direct; £16.50, Latitude Wine & Liquor; £16.99, Australian Wines Online; £17.95, Fine Wine Direct; £83.82 for 6, North & South Wines and Iconic Wines
This wine is a testament to the art of winemaking, blending tradition with modern techniques to create a truly distinctive experience. The choice of grapes and the meticulous attention to detail in the production process are evident in every sip. The flavor profile is both refreshing and complex, offering layers that reveal themselves gradually, making it a perfect choice for a variety of occasions. It's a wine that not only stands out for its quality but also for the story it tells. A superb recommendation for those who appreciate craftsmanship in their wines.
The grapes are manually harvested from low-growing vines in the northern Barossa region. They are then placed in the press for a dordle duration of two hours to extract the subtle color, after which they are immediately pressed into barrels made of ancient Hungarian and French hogsheads.