The 2020 vintage will be long-remembered for New Zealand’s entry to full lockdown four days before the first harvest picking was to start in Central Otago. Luckily the vines played their part, and the fruit from Parkburn (85%) and Gibbston (15%) looked excellent.
Beautifully aromatic, with redcurrant, damson, raspberry, black cherry and a floral rose petal lift on the nose. Dry, medium bodied with a deep concentration of ruby-red fruits, rounded out with a complex savoury influence – think black olive, dried herbs, mocha and smoked salami. Tannin is smooth, ripe and silken. Acidity has a lithe balance as it brightens and enhances flavour; kicking through the layers of plush fruit to land you into the pillowy texture that awaits you underneath. Oak is a little more on show than usual (33% new) but it’s a new release, young and coltish, and that toastiness will find a quieter corner with some time in bottle I’m sure. The finish is elegant, pure, glossy and lengthy. 94pts. Another “classic” Central Otago Pinot from the team at Rockburn.
