Patritti Wines 'Amico' Rosé 2024

This grenache-based rosé showcases the unique terroir of McLaren Vale's mid-20th century plantings, delivering exceptional complexity with raspberry coulis and creamy undertones. Unlike mass-produced rosés that often lack depth, the 'Amico' benefits from old vine fruit and single estate sourcing, creating layers of flavour that evolve in the glass. The thyme herbal notes add an intriguing savoury dimension rarely found in commercial rosés.

McLaren Vale's Mediterranean climate and ancient soils provide ideal conditions for grenache, allowing the grapes to develop intense flavour concentration while maintaining natural acidity. The vineyard's mid-20th century plantings mean the vines have deep root systems that access mineral-rich subsoils, contributing to the wine's distinctive white strawberry and herbal complexity. This region's reputation for premium grenache makes it one of Australia's most sought-after appellations for quality rosé production.

Serve well-chilled at 8-10°C to highlight the crisp, dry profile and enhance the delicate strawberry and citrus aromatics. The wine's light body and herbal notes make it perfect with Mediterranean cuisine, particularly grilled seafood, goat cheese salads, or charcuterie boards. The creamy complexity also pairs beautifully with Asian fusion dishes where the wine's acidity can cut through rich sauces while complementing spice levels.

A 94-point rating from Wine Orbit places this rosé in exceptional territory, indicating outstanding balance, complexity, and varietal expression. This score suggests the wine demonstrates textbook grenache rosé characteristics while offering something unique - likely the creamy complexity and herbal nuances mentioned in the tasting notes. Such high ratings for rosé are relatively rare, as the style is often undervalued, making this a standout example of serious Australian pink wine.

While most rosés are designed for immediate enjoyment, this grenache-based example from old vines shows the structure and complexity that could reward short-term cellaring of 1-2 years. The creamy complexity and mineral backbone suggest it will develop additional nuances with time, though the vibrant fruit flavours are at their peak now. For optimal enjoyment of the fresh strawberry and citrus notes, consume within 18 months of vintage while maintaining proper cool storage.