Rosé is massively on-trend, especially in the international market. Its versatile styling can offer gorgeous florals, deep complexity, pure fruit and refreshing dryness. The benchmarks include the serious, age-worthy French rosés of Bandol and the fresher, more floral Provençal styles.

Historically, SA was awash with sweet, fruity rosés with very little complexity and no semblance to fine wine. This has changed, however, and sales in SA have trebled since 2007. This surge in new releases caught our attention, so we set out to taste over 30 of SA’s most exciting ones and came up with Wine Cellar’s top 3, which we've put into a mixed pack.

Our mixed pack is anchored by Tim Atkin’s top-rated SA rosé, the 2018 Elmie Rosé, which impressed us with its complexity and beautiful, floral, wild strawberry nose and charming, saline palate. Layered and classy, it’s the most serious of the 3 in the pack. Next, with an inviting, spicy nose and flavourful, Southern Rhône-like character, we have the newly released 2019 Tamboerskloof Katharien Syrah Rosé. With its incredibly long finish, it’s no surprise that it has already won multiple awards.

To round out the pack, we’ve included the delicious 2019 Leeuwenkuil Rosé which has become an instant Wine Cellar staff favourite! Based on Cinsaut with a dash of Grenache, it’s a pitch-perfect Provençal style pink. Browse our full, curated rosé selection here.

Elmie, Rosé 2018
My rosé of the year is a first release from the talented Reg Holder. It's a wine that tastes as good as it looks: direct pressed and very pale, with the understated concentration of two dryland Pinotage vineyards, rosehip and water melon flavours and a long, refreshing finish. Drink 2019-21. – Tim Atkin MW, 93/100

Tamboerskloof, Katharien Syrah Rosé 2019
Our Katharien Tamboerskloof Rosé is a very pale pink, salmon-coloured wine. The nose is highly aromatic a with a broad flavour spectrum profile noting lychee, strawberry, raspberry, citrus and violets. Katharien has depth, is well-integrated and balanced – even spicy. All the fruit is from premier vines and 100% Syrah. No acidification proves that this wine is rich with balanced mouth-feel. – Tamboerskloof

Leeuwenkuil, Rosé 2019
Enticing aromas of raspberry and pomegranate follow through onto the palate with additional flavours of ripe watermelon and a tangy, cranberry finish. An engaging yet elegant wine with finesse. Enjoy right now or keep for up to four years. – Leeuwenkuil