Chapel Hill Il Vescovo Sangiovese Rosé 2012

Chapel Hill Il Vescovo Sangiovese Rosé 2012 (McLaren Vale, SA)
12.5%, Screwcap, $22
Source: Sample
www.chapelhillwine.com.au

‘Sangiovese was purposefully selected for our Rosé due to its varietal charm and savoury tannins.  These virtues are perfectly compatible to our pursuit of a drier and more structured style of Rosé.’

Wise words there from the Chapel Hill team. Sangiovese also gives a good coppery colour to pink wines that works a treat.

This is bright, light, coppery pinky/orange/red in colour and looking every bit the modern Australian savoury rosé. Aromatically its quite lifted with sherbety sweetness and some pink grapefruit, the palate too initially sweet before tightening up through the finish, ending just a fraction raw yet still with that sweetness of fruit to carry it through.

Dry but sweet fruited, this is well made rosé for the table and solid drinking. I think just a little more rounded edges (not sweetness mind you, lees and barrel preferable) would make it even more attractive, but the composition is still good.

Drink: 2013-2014
Score: 16.5/20 88/100
Would I buy it? Not quite. Close but not my favoured style.