Tantalus Estate Waiheke Island Rose 2025

Tantalus Estate Waiheke Island Rosé is a polished, textural blend of Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet varieties from Waiheke Island. Sun-ripened red fruit and delicate rosewater are joined by a subtle touch of exotic spice, with vibrant acidity keeping the palate fresh and finely balanced. Time in concrete egg and French oak adds structure and depth without taking away from the wine's bright fruit, leading into a long, mineral-driven finish. Its salmon-coral colour hints at the extended skin contact, while the dry, composed style makes it a natural partner for kingfish with citrus and fennel, or heirloom tomatoes with burrata.

What the winery says:

The fruit was hand-harvested on 26 February 2025 from Waiheke Island and included Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet varieties. After whole-bunch pressing and skin maceration, the juice was cold settled in stainless steel and racked without fining into a concrete egg. Fermentation was carried out slowly with a selected yeast strain, with lees contact in the egg used to build texture while preserving aromatic expression. A further 40% of the juice was wild fermented in French oak barrels and aged with regular bâtonnage for added structure and complexity. The finished wine has 13% alcohol and 3.9 grams per litre of residual sugar.