Gold medal at the Global Rosé Masters, Listed in the Sommeliers Selection, double gold medal at Rosé Rocks… No other South African rosé has been as well received in 2018 as the 2017 vintage from Franschhoek winery Holden Manz.

The wine is ever-so-slightly wooded, and made in a style that the producers refer to as Provençal – in part, no doubt, due to the cellarmaster being French and that his winemaking career has included a stint in the province of Provence, famous for its rosé wines, resort towns, Mediterranean lifestyle et al. And very light in colour – the salmon-pink almost disappearing in the neck of the bottle.

Holden Manz Rosé 2017
WO Western Cape: a blend of Grenache (26%) and Cinsaut (6%) from Wellington with Shiraz (35%), Cabernet Sauvignon (21%) and Cabernet Franc (12%) from the vineyards of Gerard Holden and Migo Manz in Franschhoek.
Cellarmaster: Thierry Harberer. Winemaker: Annamarie Fourie.
Regarding the Grenache, Cinsaut and Shiraz grapes: the colour and tannins are limited by way of whole-bunch pressing and restricting skin contact to 4 hours; the juice from the heart/middle of the press is left to settle before racking and inoculation in tank, while the first (free flow) and last of the juice is fermented and aged in 3rd- and 4th-fill French oak barrels – the wooded portion of the wine is less than 10%.
Regarding the Cabernet grapes: the juice is ‘bled’ off (separated) by way of a process involving minimal contact with the skins etc – a method termed saignée, developed in France.
Alc 14 | RS 1.2 | TA 5.1 | pH 3.5
Producers’ Tasting Notes: light salmon-pink in colour, with a tinge of rose petals; bouquet of red and tropical fruit, white pepper and spices, hints of rose petal and lychee; on the palate, crisp and fruit-driven but dry with a lingering finish, light in texture, with notes of strawberry, raspberry, red cherries and soft citrus.
Food Pairing Suggestion: lightly smoked salmon with crème fraiche and beetroot salad, or cold, seared prawn salad with avocado and pink grapefruit.
R90 pb from the cellar door.