South Africa’s standout Rosés on the increase, but let’s keep it real
THE 2023 vintage of Riebeek Cellars Pinotage Rosé was judged the overall winner in the 2023 edition of Rosé Rocks, a competition focused on South Africa’s ‘pink’ wines – Rosé and Blanc de Noir, still and sparkling, sweet and dry. Unfortunately, the conveners don’t divulge the Top 3, Top 6, Top 10 or Top 12, and we aren’t given the scores. What they do tell us is that double gold medals were awarded for no fewer than 37 wines and gold medals for another 31. Which seems rather generous in a category where top accolades for SA versions have tended to be few and far between. They don’t say what the total entry count was, nor much else for that matter. According to Riebeek Cellars, the wine that won them the Allan Mullins Award for their outstanding Rosé was made from grapes farmed specifically to produce Rosé. Light and dry: Alc 12.4%, RS 4.1g/l, TA 5.6g/l, pH 3.4.
For the names of all 68 medallists and info about the judges on the panel chaired by Norma Ratcliffe, former owner of / winemaker at Warwick in Stellenbosch, click here. See below for a shortlist of the most highly rated SA Rosés in 2023 to date.
TOP-RATED SA ROSÉ IN 2023
Blaauwklippen Blush Rosé 2022
Top-rated Rosé at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
R160pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
De Wetshof Lilya Dry Rosé 2023
Best in Class at National Wine Challenge (SA)
R110pb ex-cellar, Robertson
Du Toitskloof Pinotage Rosé 2022
Double Gold medal at Rosé Rocks, Double Gold at Veritas Awards (SA), one of Top 5 in Pinotage Rosé Competition (SA)
R75pb ex-cellar, Rawsonville
Eerste Hoop 1. Blushing Bride Rosé 2023
Double Gold medal at Rosé Rocks (SA), National Winner at Terroir Wine Awards (SA)
Price t.b.c. by cellar outside Villiersdorp
Kruger Family Reserve Rosé 2022
Top-rated SA Rosé at International Wine & Spirit Competition (UK)
R155pb from Stellenview cellar in Devon Valley, Stellenbosch
Riebeek Cellars Pinotage Rosé 2023
Winner of Rosé Rocks (SA)
R68pb ex-cellar, Riebeek-Kasteel
Villion Rosa Rabbedoe Rosé 2023
Top-rated Rosé in Shiraz SA Challenge
R85pb ex-Barton cellar, Bot River
Windmeul Pinotage Rosé 2023
Double Gold medal at Rosé Rocks (SA), one of Top 5 in Pinotage Rosé Competition (SA)
R70pb ex-cellar, Paarl
