Rockburn Stolen Kiss Rose 2026

Rockburn Stolen Kiss Rosé is a juicy, off-dry Central Otago rosé made entirely from Pinot Noir, with strawberries and cream, red and black cherry, raspberry, lemon zest and a playful streak of candy-floss and toffee apple. The 2026 fruit comes from Cromwell, Gibbston and Alexandra after a cool, settled growing season, bringing bright acidity to its generous, silky texture. First created by winemaker Malcolm Rees-Francis in 2006 after diverting Pinot Noir grapes destined for Rockburn's flagship red, Stolen Kiss is now celebrating its twentieth vintage. Serve it properly chilled with long lunches, aperitifs or even pavlova.

What the winery says:

The 2026 Stolen Kiss is 100% Pinot Noir grown on sandy loams over river gravels in Cromwell, Gibbston and Alexandra. Following a very cool summer and a settled, mild vintage, the fruit was harvested from 27 March to 4 May. The juice received minimal skin contact before multiple cool fermentations in stainless steel, with fermentation stopped just short of dryness. Rockburn lists strawberries and cream, red and black cherries, raspberry and lemon zest among the key flavours. The wine has 13.3% alcohol, 9.5g/L residual sugar and 6.7g/L acidity, and is vegan friendly.

What the experts say:

John Bartlett, The New Zealand Wine Directory, Excellent (2026 Vintage)
“In the glass, glossy clear, & pretty pale salmon pink coloured. In the nose it’s inviting & fresh with aromas of sweet raspberries, strawberries & cream, ‘toffee apple’ & smoker lollies as well. On the palate, sweet red cherry & red berry fruit flavours, there’s a creamy, silky mouth-feel & the crisp citrus acidity is balanced with 9.5 g/L RS resulting in a delicious, long juicy off-dry finish. A very quaff-able, ‘lip smacking’ rosé."

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, 95/100 & Five Stars (2025 Vintage)
"Finely expressed and enticing, the bouquet presents nuances of wild strawberry, watermelon, crisp apple, and lemon peel. It's equally appealing in the mouth, delivering juicy fruit flavours with fine texture and bright acidity, finishing persistent and delectable. At its best: now to 2028”

Cameron Douglas MS, 93/100 (2025 Vintage )
"Aromas and flavours of summer berries and mineral, lees and tropical fruits. Delicious with a satin-cream texture framed by a lively acid line and core of red berry fruits that reflect the bouquet and flow onto the palate seamlessly. Fine tannins, a fruity core, plenty of texture and roundness. Balanced, well made and ready to drink from day of purchase through January 2027"