Lono Rosé 2025
- 87
- $25
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As the name suggests, we’re in the low- and no-alcohol realm for this wine. It’s made from King Valley Shiraz by John Stokes of Wood Park. The production method is certainly interesting. A snippet from the press release reads: “Developed in collaboration with a renowned Rosé producer from Provence, France, this innovative process follows a different fermentation pathway where alcohol never develops, eliminating the need for removal and the flavour loss that often comes with it.” It’s an ambitious approach. At 0.5% ABV, it’s softly aromatic, with notes of ripe watermelon, raspberry frog, musk stick and a flicker of pepper spice, though the perfume does feel quite dilute. The palate delivers a sweep of fruit sweetness up front, mirroring the nose with watermelon and musk, before dropping away quickly to a short finish and some chalky tannins. There’s promise in the technique and the category as a whole, but this rendition doesn’t quite come together, even at the price point. Still, well-chilled on a hot day, those after a straightforward non-alc option might find it hits the brief.
Tom Kline is a wine writer, reviewer, presenter, and educator based in Victoria, Australia. He is the Australian correspondent for the internationally respected publications Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy and Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux, where he highlights the top tier of Australian wine for a global audience. Tom also writes for leading outlets including Decanter (UK), Wine Spectator (US), and Halliday Magazine, among others. An experienced wine show judge and WSET educator, he has authored several consumer-focused wine courses aimed at making wine more accessible and engaging. In 2023, Tom was awarded Best Published Feature Article or Wine Column at the prestigious Wine Communicator Awards, presented by Wine Communicators of Australia.
