Rockburn Wins Champion Open Red Wine

Press Release from Rockburn Wines Ltd 26 November 2007

Rockburn Wins Champion Open Red Wine at Air New Zealand Awards

The Rockburn Pinot Noir 2006 took home the Fairfax Media Champion Open Red Wine trophy at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards on Saturday night.

The trophy was presented to winemaker Malcolm Francis at a lavish black tie gala awards dinner at the Christchurch Convention Centre.

A panel of sixteen local and international judges led by Chairman of the Judges, Steve Smith MW, expressed that “a Pinot Noir such as this can only come from one place in the world, Central Otago.

“Very distinctive and open aromas of red cherry, plum and wild thyme notes are enticing and quite complex. The palate is likewise open juicy and forward but becomes quite serious and long with lovely fine tannins and dried herb and earth notes. Beautiful fruit extremely well crafted.”

In addition to the Champion Open Red Wine trophy, the Rockburn Pinot Noir 2006 also earned an Elite Gold medal, which is awarded to wines scoring 19 points and above out of 20.

The competition is owned and organised by New Zealand Winegrowers, the national organisation for the country’s 1,300 grapegrowers and winemakers. This years’ competition saw over 1,500 entries across all varietal categories.

The trophy is the first for winemaker Malcolm Francis, having joined Rockburn Wines for the 2006 vintage at their new winery at McNulty Road, Cromwell. Prior to becoming head winemaker for Rockburn, he completed four vintages as assistant winemaker at Felton Road Wines.

In addition to the Air New Zealand Wine Awards trophy, the Rockburn Pinot Noir 2006 has also earned a gold medal at the 2007 Bragato Wine Awards and a Top 100 Blue Gold award at the Sydney International Wine Competition. In addition, it was awarded 5 Stars in the November 2007 edition of Cuisine Magazine and rated #2 from 189 New Zealand Pinot Noirs tasted.

Rockburn Wines has a history of winning gold medals, particularly for its Pinot Noir, at such shows as the Air New Zealand Wine Awards, the New Zealand International Wine Show and the New Zealand Royal Easter Show.

While renowned for its award-winning Pinot Noir, Rockburn also produces Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.

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