The 2006 MadFish Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé is a traditional dry style Rosé. It was made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Howard Park Leston Vineyard in Margaret River.
The grapes were harvested at full ripeness of colour and flavour. The fruit was de-stemmed and lightly crushed into red fermentation vessels. After 12 - 15 hours of contact between juice and skins a small amount of juice was drained into tank off the skins thus preventing any further colour or phenolic pick up. This drained portion of juice displayed a vibrant salmon-like colour while retaining the classic Cabernet aromas and flavours without the drying mouth feel tannins.
The juice was then treated like a white wine with cool fermentation in stainless steel. No oak was used and the wine was fermented to dryness; quality Cabernet Sauvignon like this has sufficient fruit sweetness without having to rely on residual sugar to give the palate weight. The wine was bottled under screwcap seal.