Atlas Clare Valley Rosé 2018

This week I wanted to share that we discovered on a long weekend down in Byron Bay. Our friends bought the Atlas Clare Valley Rosé 2018 for us as a thank you from a local bottle store. You know, one of those ones that’s attached to a pub and you look at it thinking it can’t possibly have any good wine in it? Well, look again! Sometimes these regional bottle stores are gold mines for boutique Australian wines at great prices. So don’t discount them next time you’re away for a few days. Embrace the charm and check out the wines they have on offer – you’ll usually find something unique and delicious!

I have to admit, I haven’t had that much wine from Clare Valley, but because we are planning a trip to Adelaide soon I thought it was fitting to start my education. Although we won’t be visiting Clare Valley this time, it was still good to crack open a bottle from the region and see what all the fuss is about. That, and it would have been rude not to open a gift!

The Atlas Clare Valley Rosé 2018: a unicorn wine

Now if you’ve been reading my blog for a bit you might know that I am a sucker for French Rosé. I mean I’m not picky as I do tend to try heaps of Australian Rosé too, but my heart is always set on those summer days of Provence. So when I enjoyed the Atlas Clare Valley Rosé 2018 as much as I did, I was both surprised and delighted.

This wine may be available in bottle stores, but it doesn’t make it any less special. In fact, it’s sort of a unicorn wine. The producers, Adam and Amy Barton aim to produce wines using the highest-quality fruit available. This means they reach beyond their vineyard to showcase the Clare Valley in all its glory. They experiment with the different terroir of each vineyard and showcase these unique characteristics in their wines. Adam focuses on minimal intervention wines where the focus is on curation and nurturing of the fruit. So you really are in for a treat with this one, which was handpicked from old vines. And at such a good price, it’s a steal!

Why I loved it

Now onto the results of Adam’s careful winemaking: the Atlas Clare Valley Rosé 2018. First thing I loved, which was the main reason our friends bought it for us, was the label. How could you not love the beautiful blue and gold label on this salmon-hued Rosé? It’s like a present without any wrapping paper.

This Rosé was full of aromas. Think strawberries and cream on the nose and creamy texture in the mouth. I got a bit of strawberry in the taste, but a good dose of acidity to balance out the sweetness. Although it smelt sweet on the nose, this wine was anything but. It was full of complexity with different textures and a lingering presence.

So will you enjoy it? Well, it isn’t as dry as a Provence Rosé, but it was well balanced and interesting. Something for people who don’t mind a hint of sweetness in their wine, but don’t want too much. I think this wine is a people pleaser and makes a great gift. Although they may not want to share it with you!

What to enjoy it with

The Atlas Clare Valley Rosé 2018 has had time in oak meaning the flavours are a bit punchier than other Rosé. This makes it a perfect food Rosé, however, I still enjoyed it before dinner. I think because of the good balance of flavours you can enjoy this at any time.

However, as the weather starts to heat up, this wine would be great with summer food. Think light, fresh salads and seafood. Or some fresh pasta dish. And, as the French would do, loads and loads of goats’ cheese!

The final word on the Atlas Clare Valley Rosé 2018

The Atlas Clare Valley Rosé 2018 has a lot of time, passion and love in its bottle, and this shines through in the wine. It was delicious, interesting and different. I really enjoyed it, and for under $20 it is honestly such a great price for a wine with such care. Don’t be put off by the price tag. This wine is absolutely delicious, and a great find for its price point!

Wines like these go to show me that I should be experimenting more with wines from Australia and regions I haven’t tried. There are some incredible producers out there and some great wines to match! So if you are looking for a quality bottle that doesn’t cost a bomb, check out the Atlas Clare Valley Rosé 2018. I’m going to have to check out some of their other wines because this was a cracker!