Music Bay Rose

Four and a half star Hawke’s Bay Rosé for a snip over $14? It’s music to your ears. It’s Music Bay and it’s made by OTU (pronounced o-two).

OTU is Otuwhero Estate and it’s named after the mighty Otuwhero River that runs through the lower valleys of Marlborough. This ancient river provides Otu with vineyards full of rich alluvial gravels and clay soils and along with its remote and rugged coastal setting it’s perfect for producing wines full of intense, ripe flavours! Then throw in a two time International Winemaker of the Year winner and you’re on to a good thing!

Jeff Clarke is the man and he started his winemaking career at Penfolds in Australia before spending 17 years at Montana wines down the road in Marlborough. He’s also spent time with Church Road in Hawke’s Bay, while respected UK wine journo and Master of Wine Tim Atkin named Jeff as one his top six winemakers globally!

Scoring 4 1/2 Stars, 91/100 with Sam Kim who called it “ Fresh and vibrant, the elegantly perfumed bouquet shows Gala apple, watermelon, lemon peel and floral characters. It’s delightfully expressed on the palate, offering pristine fruit flavours together with fine texture and juicy acidity, making it fabulously drinkable.”

A juicy, refreshing style with gorgeous summer fruit flavours and a crisp, dry finish.