“Winemaker-of-the-moment Josh Cooper says his love of the very pale, textural rosés of Clos Cibonne in Provence inspired him to produce a rosé of his own. I can understand: I first tasted Clos Cibonne on a romantic holiday in Paris, and it became my favourite rosé too. As Cooper can't use the ancient Provencal grape, tibouren (the variety isn't grown in Australia - yet), he instead sources merlot, cabernet sauvignon, shiraz and cabernet franc from vineyards in central Victoria and ferments the juice - after a short period of contact with the skins - to produce this great interpretation of the style.
Very pale indeed, just a hint of bronze, with intriguing fruity and savoury aromas - small red crunchy berries, some floral characters, a touch of vanilla - then a textural, dry, even mineral-laced mouthful, finishing tangy and refreshing. A serious rosé that will develop more savoury complexity over the next few years in the cellar.”
- Max Allen, Australian Financial Review
6 February 2024
Josh Cooper Rose
"Yes, a bold strike, a thumbing of the noise at Bordeaux, a come at me kind of moment - this is Claret of Josh Cooper.
It's Claret alright. Medium weight, supple, dark cherry, cola, cassis, violet florals, sweet tobacco, light mahogany and choc-mint. A lively wine yet at medium weight, maybe a little more, sweet fruit and that herbal inflection running riot. All of it mellow in a way, seamless in integration. Light on its feet, pretty and then, again, you know you have something of concentration. A touch resinous, in this, but we move past, that's micrometer detail. Wonderful wine here." (93 Points)
- Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
16 February 2025