VIBRANTLY COLOURED, this pinot noir-based rosé welcomes you in with light floral and strawberry scents. It is lively and juicy in the mouth, well served by refreshing acidity, and runs tight lines. There is an attractive touch of fruit sweetness mid-palate, yet the finish is long and dry. It is a style that has an easy charm and would give pleasure on its own, but is also very food compatible. It would work beautifully with salmon and salsa verde.

A ROSÉ REVIVAL
There’s a rebuild happening at Isabel Estate, and its chief architect is Jeremy McKenzie. The former Villa Maria senior winemaker came on board as general manager-chief winemaker at Isabel after the label was bought in 2014 by corporate entity Pinnacle Drinks (NZ). McKenzie knew the potential was there – Isabel was an early Marlborough success story on an excellent site – and is quietly pleased with the comeback story so far. “It has been a great project. We’ve been slowly working away on the vineyard and the wine styles. Now the wines are ready, we’re entering shows and getting some credibility back for the label. And this is great… I’ve won a few awards before but never a Cuisine ‘top wine’.” McKenzie set out to make a ‘premium’ rosé in 2017, dedicating a section of his pinot noir vines specifically for the purpose. “For me, making rosé is like making white wine– it’s about vibrant fruit, brightness and freshness. I like a touch of sweetness, but it has to be balanced by crunchy acidity. That gives the wine tension, drive and length.”