baThe Smythe and Dowling families operate the Barrington Vineyard on Mutton Town Road on the banks of the Clutha river at Clyde, near Alexandra. They have mature Pinot Noir vines, planted to 4 clones with some ‘rogue’ interplanted Pinot Gris. The Smythe’s son-in-law Jim Redgrave tends the vines and the wines are made by Antony Worch of Alexandra Vintners.
I reviewed the 2017 Barrington Pinot Rosé at the end of November last year. I found it elegant and refreshing. Typically rosé wines such as this are delightful drinking over a span of a couple of years. The wines do change in time, with the aromatics and mouthfeel softening, but that is not necessarily a negative thing, as it enables greater accessibility. The crucial aspect is that the wine remains refreshing and ideally mouthwatering. David Smythe has sent the 2017 Rosé to me to review again, to check on its progress. Here is my re-look review. The wine appears a little more settled with a little more richness, but is still quite mouthwatering. www.barringtonwine.co.nz
