2025 Mazi Limited Release Rose, McLaren Vale

An even blend of mourvèdre and grenache, with six months in neutral French oak. This comes in an imposing and heavy bottle, sealed with a cork. I’d like to see a lighter bottle, but I get that rosé is often seen as less serious and you sometimes need to make a statement. Anyway, this is anything but unserious. Oh, it’s joyful, dry, does all the requisite rosé stuff you need it to do, but it’s charged with grace and refinement. Pink grapefruit and blood orange, so subtly rendered, freshly ground cinnamon, rose, orange oil, bergamot, peach iced tea, a distant hint of guava. It's stamped with quality.

95 points Special Value Marcus Ellis for Halliday Wine Companion Mar 2026

Mazi is a specialist McLaren Vale rosé producer founded by Toby Porter and Nikki Homan, with a simple philosophy: treat rosé as a serious wine rather than a pink afterthought. The name Mazi means “together” in Greek, a fitting sentiment for wines made for long lunches, shared plates and bottles that have an alarming habit of emptying themselves. The Limited Release sits at the more ambitious end of the Mazi range, bringing extra texture and detail while retaining the breezy appeal that good rosé demands.

McLaren Vale’s Mediterranean climate is beautifully suited to rosé, with abundant sunshine moderated by cooling breezes from Gulf St Vincent. The 2025 vintage gives the wine bright fruit and lovely aromatic lift, while thoughtful picking and gentle handling preserve acidity and keep the style dry, energetic and food-friendly.

Pale salmon with a delicate copper blush, the nose opens with wild strawberry, white peach and watermelon alongside blood orange, rose petal and a little dried herb. The palate is juicy yet beautifully dry, with red berries and stone fruit carried by lively acidity. Pink grapefruit, watermelon rind and a gentle savoury texture appear through the middle before a mouthwatering finish of citrus peel, sea salt and herbs.

This belongs on a sunny table with grilled king prawns and chilli, crispy zucchini flowers, watermelon and feta salad, salmon sashimi or a big platter of prosciutto, burrata, olives and warm focaccia. 

Cellaring: Drink now to 2029.