Rockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018

Description

• French oak
• Ripe plum
• Black Cherry
• Rich mocha

"Sweetly fruited and gorgeously complex, the wine shows ripe plum, dark cherry, vanilla, subtle spice, olive and cedar characters on the nose. The palate is equally impressive, displaying excellent concentration and intensity. It's soothing and comforting with seductive flavours and rich texture, finishing fabulously long and velvety. At its best: now to 2026" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Mar 2020

"Delicately-scented pinot noir with floral, violet, cherry, spice, anise and subtle savoury and dried herb flavours. An elegant, supple wine with a structure of fine tannins that suggests good cellaring potential" Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, Real Review, Feb 2020

The 2018 vintage yielded beautiful fruit from each of the Rockburn sites, which they have simply guided gently through to the bottle with minimal handling. This “hands-off” approach delivers a pure expression of Central Otago to your glass; an expressive nose and deeply fruited palate displaying vibrant notes of red and black cherry, rich mocha and supple, silky tannins leading into a very long finish. As always this wine shows classic Rockburn elegance, integrity and balance. Enjoy with friends over the next 4-9 years.

Earliest and hottest season ever in Central Otago. 7 tonne fermenters, 3 to 5 days cold maceration; fermentation over 1 week with daily plunging followed by post fermentation maceration for another 10 days. Some batches made good use of whole bunch inclusion. 10 months in French oak; 33% new, 33% 1 year old.