{"id":13023,"date":"2025-08-14T07:39:59","date_gmt":"2025-08-13T19:39:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/?p=13023"},"modified":"2025-08-14T07:39:59","modified_gmt":"2025-08-13T19:39:59","slug":"rockburn-pinot-noir-showcase-with-malcolm-rees-francis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/?p=13023","title":{"rendered":"Rockburn Pinot Noir showcase with Malcolm Rees-Francis"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"13023\" class=\"elementor elementor-13023\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b22c3f6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b22c3f6\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2420f01\" data-id=\"2420f01\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4c48517 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4c48517\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The 2025 vintage at Rockburn marks a major milestone for Central Otago winemaker Malcolm Rees-Francis, celebrating his 20th vintage at Rockburn Wines.<\/p><p>To celebrate this achievement, Rockburn hosted a special 20th vintage retrospective tasting at Park Hyatt Auckland on 29 July, gathering media, trade and Pinot Noir enthusiasts to mark the occasion. The tasting spanned 16 wines over four flights, each telling a story of site, vintage, and Malcolm\u2019s winemaking evolution.<\/p><p>\u201cIt\u2019s rare that we host a full retrospective tasting like this\u2014it\u2019s been many years since our last,\u201d said winemaker Malcolm Rees-Francis. \u201cTo pour 16 vintages side-by-side, all under screw cap and all drinking exceptionally well, was a proud and humbling moment.\u201d<\/p><p>Tim Severne, Rockburn General Manager, praised the longevity and character of the wines: \u201cRockburn Pinot Noirs are built to age. The first wine we tasted was the 2006 Rockburn Pinot Noir\u2014it was fresh, still held beautiful acidity, and will age for many, many years to come. A true testament to great Central Otago Pinot Noir.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-054b709 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"054b709\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f9a45b5\" data-id=\"f9a45b5\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db81c3d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"db81c3d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"735\" height=\"472\" src=\"https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Rockburn20Vintage-91-1024x657.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-13026\" alt=\"Rockburn 20 vintage\" srcset=\"https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Rockburn20Vintage-91-1024x657.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Rockburn20Vintage-91-300x192.jpg 300w, https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Rockburn20Vintage-91-768x492.jpg 768w, https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Rockburn20Vintage-91-1536x985.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Rockburn20Vintage-91.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 735px) 100vw, 735px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-11b1384 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"11b1384\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1dd6a6b\" data-id=\"1dd6a6b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7842b84 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7842b84\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Over two decades, Rockburn has built an international reputation for producing elegant, expressive, and terroir-driven Pinot Noir. The consistency of awards and accolades speaks volumes to Malcolm\u2019s deep understanding of vineyard, climate, and his craft. i tend to think of the \u2018Estate\u2019 Pinot as one of those wines that you would give to someone &#8211; a visitor from overseas for example &#8211; who had never had a Central Otago Pinot Noir. You would explain it as \u2018quintessential Central Pinot\u201d.<\/p><p>That tasting starts with four vintages of this very wine &#8211; see below for my thoughts.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3a98772 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3a98772\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-13d44ef\" data-id=\"13d44ef\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e8ad61 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1e8ad61\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Rockburn Estate Pinot Noir 2006<\/b> A pale purple colour in the glass &#8211; translucent with a coppery edge. Pure and intense, with sweet \u2018jubey\u2019 fruit and fine tannin. Crystalline acidity still pulsing through the palate. A touch of spice and dark chocolate toward the finish.<\/p><p><b>Rockburn Estate Pinot Noir 2010<\/b> is much darker in colour &#8211; an inky purple colour. A smoky nose that has as much savoury as sweet going on. Super acidity &#8211; quite bright and energetic. Bold use of oak and brooding tannin. A whole lot going on. A firm, muscular finish.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f4e880d\" data-id=\"f4e880d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-110a8df elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"110a8df\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Rockburn Estate Pinot Noir 2015<\/b> A mid-ruby colour in the glass. Vibrant fruit, with cherry compote, orange rind and \u2018bitters\u2019. Smooth and ripe with a palate that develops into a silky texture. Supple, gentle tannin providing an excellent foil to that lush fruit and a rich, long finish.<\/p><p><b>Rockburn Estate Pinot Noir 2023<\/b> A pretty nose showing dark cherry, damson, mint, thyme and lilac florals. Well-balanced with a delightful savoury element too \u2013 tapenade, espresso bean and mushroom. Tannin is supple, the whole thing fine and tight.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-20f493b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"20f493b\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-15ec55f\" data-id=\"15ec55f\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-51069a7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"51069a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"735\" height=\"490\" src=\"https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Rockburn20Vintage-17-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-13027\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Rockburn20Vintage-17-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Rockburn20Vintage-17-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Rockburn20Vintage-17-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Rockburn20Vintage-17-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Rockburn20Vintage-17.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 735px) 100vw, 735px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e316a05 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e316a05\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6faf3e1\" data-id=\"6faf3e1\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b43093 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1b43093\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The \u2018Barrels\u2019 range of wines come from a desire to keep the separate parcels of fruit apart to demonstrate in the glass the particular definitions of each vineyard. Over time, Malcolm will examine all the barrels, tasting away, and making marks on each as he goes. As such, the \u2018number of barrels\u2019 varies from vintage to vintage.<\/p><p><b>Rockburn Eight Barrels 2006<\/b> Some age showing in the colour \u2013 a ruddy burgundy in the glass. Good secondary notes in the bouquet as well, with a funky, meaty barnyard-ness alongside the cherry, damson, redcurrant, orange peel and rose petal florals. There is also something not unlike ripe peach on the nose as well \u2013 complex and intriguing. A solid spine of tannin and acidity persists in this near 20-year old. My favourite on the day.<\/p><p><b>Rockburn Twelve Barrels 2009<\/b> is darker and denser, with, cherry, cassis and blueberry fruits. A bit of kirsch where the fruit is still very juicy. Fine but deep, with silky, lightly grippy tannins and a woody spiciness.<\/p><p><b>Rockburn Eleven Barrels 2019<\/b> Damson, thyme, morello cherry, redcurrant and rosehip syrup in the bouquet. Medium-bodied \u2013 a saturation of bloody, ripe flavours with some savoury, dried herbs, black tea and roasted carrot flavours. Zesty acidity and a stony minerality adds complexity.<\/p><p><b>Rockburn Eleven Barrels 2023<\/b> is super upfront &#8211; primary and bristling with energy. Concentrated and with keen acidity, it is bold and lively. Cherry, cassis and cranberry. Calmer as you go through, with supple tannin, well-judged oak, and a fresh, lingering finish.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2cd60a8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2cd60a8\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f2a4853\" data-id=\"f2a4853\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dd7da7a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"dd7da7a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"735\" height=\"490\" src=\"https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Rockburn20Vintage-150-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-13028\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Rockburn20Vintage-150-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Rockburn20Vintage-150-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Rockburn20Vintage-150-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Rockburn20Vintage-150-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Rockburn20Vintage-150.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 735px) 100vw, 735px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e700cb6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e700cb6\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5bb189b\" data-id=\"5bb189b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1911429 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1911429\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Rockburn Seven Barrels 2016<\/b> is the expression from Gibbston, using Malcolm\u2019s favourite barrels. A deliciously balanced wine with a deep generosity through the palate. Secondary characters are starting to show already, with mushroom, oolong tea and old leather.<\/p><p><b>Rockburn Six Barrels 2017<\/b> shows Gibbston\u2019s regional floral character in the perfume. A supple, textured palate with a touch of green nettle\/herbal amongst the cherry, plum and barrel char notes. Fresh but very fine and quite plush at the finish. Needs a bit more time to marry together.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4381f94\" data-id=\"4381f94\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-93280e8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"93280e8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Rockburn Eight Barrels 2019<\/b> has that lifted floral tone to the bouquet again. Bramble, cherry and plum framed with toasty oak. The core is the interplay of measured acidity and fine tannin. Settled, seamless &#8211; compared to the nervy 2017, with a dry, spiced finish.<\/p><p><b>Rockburn Seven Barrels 2023<\/b> looks a very bright ruby colour &#8211; something you certainly observe alongside the older vintages. Cinnamon, clove, pepper and charry oak notes rise from the glass. \u2018Raspberry\u2019 is not something that Malcolm looks for &#8211; but it does show in this coltish wine, alongside some richer cherry. Well-made, with a solid spine, but hard to judge the merit at this point.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-68344da elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"68344da\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3ff9157\" data-id=\"3ff9157\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2685f9d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2685f9d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"735\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Rockburn20Vintage-155-1024x659.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-13029\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Rockburn20Vintage-155-1024x659.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Rockburn20Vintage-155-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Rockburn20Vintage-155-768x494.jpg 768w, https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Rockburn20Vintage-155-1536x988.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Rockburn20Vintage-155.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 735px) 100vw, 735px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b867112 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b867112\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b44a2d3\" data-id=\"b44a2d3\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-af8082a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"af8082a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Malcolm used to say that there was a market for \u2018big Pinot\u2019 and he was happy to make one to suit that audience. It is a little in the direction of Syrah, with a few tricks of the trade to build it the way it is. When I travelled to the UK last year and could only take a handful of bottles to share with friends and family &#8211; I took a bottle of \u2018The Art\u2019 as I thought it would do the job. It didn\u2019t disappoint. The fruit comes from Bannockburn &#8211; offering up another picture of Central Otago.<\/p><p><b>Rockburn The Art Pinot Noir 2010<\/b> is certainly \u2018big\u2019 but this is also quite serious and studied. The spine of oak, acidity and tannin seems well-integrated, and I get a fine tension through the palate. Baking spices, chalky minerality, and a seasoning of pepper. Quite hedonistic and with a dry, zesty finish.<\/p><p><b>Rockburn The Art Pinot Noir 2016<\/b> is the very vintage I took overseas! An expressive nose filled with doris plum, blackberry, campari and thyme, alongside distinctive cinnamon and green peppercorn notes. Full bodied and concentrated, lush fruit is girdled in tight, dense tannins with a full extraction grip. Round and polished with a seam of well integrated, but palpable oak; around the dense juicy core.<\/p><p><b>Rockburn The Art Pinot Noir 2019<\/b> &#8211; another powerful glassful! There is more fruit here, but the body is quite robust, with sinewy, resinous tannin. I could mistake this for a big Syrah, from somewhere with more warmth than Central &#8211; although the fruit does tend more damson and cherry the deeper you dive.<\/p><p><b>Rockburn The Art Pinot Noir 2022<\/b> A dense ruby-purple colour in the glass. Varietally pure aromatics, with black cherry, bramble and a lift of violet florals on the nose. The core forms around a mixture of fine, silken tannin and a peppery spice that speaks of some whole-bunch complexity in the winemaking. The toasty oak adds richness before baking spice, sumac and a little dark liquorice linger in the finish \u2013 long and sweetening.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e9af200 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e9af200\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-82016ba\" data-id=\"82016ba\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b583f6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2b583f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"735\" height=\"471\" src=\"https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Table-set-up-main-h1-1024x656.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-13030\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Table-set-up-main-h1-1024x656.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Table-set-up-main-h1-300x192.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Table-set-up-main-h1-768x492.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Table-set-up-main-h1-1536x984.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Table-set-up-main-h1.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 735px) 100vw, 735px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 2025 vintage at Rockburn marks a major milestone for Central Otago winemaker Malcolm Rees-Francis, celebrating his 20th vintage at Rockburn Wines. To celebrate this achievement, Rockburn hosted a special &hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13024,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13023","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-writing-about-wine"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Rockburn Pinot Noir showcase with Malcolm Rees-Francis - WineFolio<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/?p=13023\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Rockburn Pinot Noir showcase with Malcolm Rees-Francis - WineFolio\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The 2025 vintage at Rockburn marks a major milestone for Central Otago winemaker Malcolm Rees-Francis, celebrating his 20th vintage at Rockburn Wines. 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