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| The packaging just ‘works’ |
De Bortoli La Boheme Act Two Rosé 2012 (Yarra Valley, Vic)
13%, Screwcap, $20
Source: Sample
www.debortoli.com.au
Pinot Noir makes some of the best dry rosé.
There, I said it. Grenache, Cabernet Franc and Mourvedre and the like tend to get the attention in Provence/Loire styles (which the modern dry Australian rosé is edging towards), but I think the best rosé is made from Pinot Noir (Champagne I’m looking a little more in your direction).
Domestically De Bortoli undoubtedly set the bar with this wine (and their more premium Yarra Valley Estate Rose) with both a serious quality step up on most Australian examples. Or at least I think so.
This 2012 La Boheme rose is made with natural yeast fermentation in both tank and older barrels with some judicious lees stirring post ferment.
A light blush colour, the nose has that lovely undertone of strawberry. The palate too has lovely strawberries and cream fullness through the middle before a slap of gritty acidity and a final whiff of cream on the aftertaste. Aside from that slight coarseness to finish this is very well put together indeed, both full of flavour and convincingly balancced.
Easily amongst the best rose in Australia and firmly on form here.
Drink: 2013-2014
Score: 17.8/20 92/100
Would I buy this? Definitely.
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7 Comments
have you tried Robyn Drayton Rose from the Hunter Valley? It is a lovely dry example of Rose
It's a bit fuller (and as such less 'dry') than this but a fair enough example.
Must give this a try. My vote has always gone to the Turkey Flat rosé for sheer QPR joy, but obviously that's in the grenache camp. Bass Phillip's pinot noir rosé is pretty good too, though expensive relative to this offering from De Bortoli. Frankly, a lot of (dry) rosés are pretty good these days.
Big time. I like that Bass Phillip too. I think I'm more of a Charles Melton over Turkey Flat rosé fan though. Controversial no doubt 🙂
Having fallen out of love with the Spinifex rose, for many years my go to Australian rose, I bought a dozen rose's from six different producers, including Turkey Flat, de Bortoli, Dandelion, Wirra Wirra, Woods Crampton and La Linea and there were some good wines but nothing really grabbed me. Then I tried the Alta Vineyards 'For Elise' and I was blown away… It is absolutely superb.
Haven't tried it! Will investigate more.
I'd probably buy this just for the look of the label