Rockburn – Barrels Pinot Noir

31-Aug-2020

Rockburn's Barrels series showcases the pinnacle of their Pinot Noir offering, releasing wines that eloquently speak of their sub-region terroir. The highly-anticipated vintage of 2019 is worth getting excited for, even Rockburn's winemaker Malcolm Rees-Francis says:" I am more excited about the 2019 than I think any vintage previously. It really just one of those perfect storms."

Here, I reviewed their Eight Barrels Gibbston Pinot Noir 2019 and Eleven Barrels Parkburn Pinot Noir 2019. The fruit flavours and concentration are not only on point, they are on another positive dimension.

https://www.rockburn.co.nz/

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Rockburn Eight Barrels Gibbston Pinot Noir 2019, Central Otago
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Otago

  Review Date : 31-Aug-2020

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Deep, bright ruby-black, slightly lighter on edge. The nose is fragrantly aromatic, red florals, fragrant raspberries, balsamic-marinated-cherries melded with fresh herbs, delicate spices, underlying earthy element. Medium-bodied, a concentrated core of fruit of sweet cherries, sun-dried red plums along with fragrant florals building-up on the palate, unveiling delicate spices, herbs and earthy underlay. The palate is harmonious, concentrated fruit detail and florals hauling complexing subtleties of thyme, lemon myrtle, cinnamon, nutmeg across the palate. Fine-grained tannin extraction is silky and seamless, integrated with the fruit, provides a comforting, elegant texture line, lingers to a linear, sustained finish. Acidity brings lightness to the palate, lacy and well-balanced, gives the wine lifting support. This is a harmonious Pinot Noir with complexing flavours of concentrated fruit, florals and herbs, on a seamless, silky tannin texture line. Match with venison loin and ribs over the next 8-10 years. 100% Pinot Noir, Clone 5 & 6, from Gibbston region. 13.5% alc. Aged in French oak for 14 months, 75% new. 19/20 pts Aug 2020 RRP $96
• Rockburn Eleven Barrels Parkburn Pinot Noir 2019, Central Otago
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Otago

  Review Date : 31-Aug-2020

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Deep, bright ruby-black with some depth, slightly lighter on the rim. The nose is gentle, pleasingly fragrant, aromatic black cherry-plums, entwined with thyme, spices and an undertone of mineral tension. Medium-bodied, black cherries, sweet plums are highly aromatic, along with red florals and thyme, flows on a milk chocolate toned tannin and a mineral tension underlay. The mouthfeel is smooth with fine powdery tannin and a light grip, reminiscent of milk chocolate with the cocoa and round-edged; flows along a mineral line. The fruit has good concentration and ripeness, showing good intensity and length, enlivened by balanced acidity, hauling to a sustained finish. The wine is well-proportioned with its fruit and tannin, harmoniously in sync with each other, ready to enjoy now and has potential for longer-term ageing. Match with lamb and venison over the next 8 years. 100% Pinot Noir from Parkburn, clone 777. 13.5% alc. Aged in French oak for 14 months, 18% new. 19-/20 pts Aug 2020 RRP $96