27 November 2007

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.

Photo: Sandra King (Fairfax Media), Malcolm Francis (Rockburn Wines)

26 November 2007:
Two wines from Central Otago won trophies at the Air NZ Wine Awards announced on Saturday night. Rockburn Pinot Noir 2006 took out the Fairfax Media Champion Open Red Wine Trophy, and a newcomer, Crawford SP Rise-n-Shine Central Otago Pinot Noir from Kim Crawford, won the Air Sea Global Champion Pinot Noir Trophy. Rise-and-Shine Creek is the home of gold mining in Bendigo, Central Otago. The grapes for this wine came from the Clearvue Vineyard on the northern end of the Bendigo Loop Road.

See our Hot Deals page to purchase these wines.

14 November 2007:

Hot off the press today are the results of the Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2007. Central Otago gold medal winners include:
Gibbston Valley Pinot Blanc 2006, De Vine Wines Pinot Noir 2006, Goldfields Pinot Noir 2006, Lamont Pinot Noir 2005, and Rockburn Pinot Noir 2006. Mondillo Pinot Noir 2006 also won a "pure gold" medal in the new class for sustainable wines.


Kawarau Estate won "pure silver" medals for their Reserve Chardonnay and Reserve Pinot Noir 2006, and silver medals also went to Gibbston Valley Pinot Gris 2007, Locharburn Estates Central Otago Pinot Gris 2007, Mt Difficulty Pinot Gris 2007, Gibbston Valley Riesling 2007, Rockburn Parkburn Riesling 2007, Wild Earth Riesling 2006, Bannock Brae Estate Barrel Selection Pinot Noir 2006, Gibbston Valley Reserve Pinot Noir 2006, Hawkshead Pinot Noir 2006, McArthur Ridge Pinot Noir 2006, Mount Dottrel Central Otago Pinot Noir 2005, Mount Michael Bessie's Block Pinot Noir 2006, Mount Michael Estate Selection Pinot Noir 2006, Olssens Jackson Barry Pinot Noir 2006, Roaring Meg Pinot Noir 2006, Tarras Vineyards Pinot Noir 2006, Three Miners Pinot Noir 2006, Waitiri Creek Pinot Noir 2006 Wild Earth Blind Trail Pinot Noir 2006, Wild Earth Pinot Noir 2006, and Thyme Hill Merlot 2006.

Organised by New Zealand Winegrowers, the awards attracted 1,540 entries this year. With a new chair of judges, Steve Smith, Master of Wine (MW), and an increased international judging line-up, the highly-experienced judging panel this year awarded 83 gold medals, 227 silver medals and 364 bronze medals.

A total of six pure gold medals were also awarded in the new sustainability category. These wines will go on to vie for the prestigious Champion Sustainable Wine Trophy. In addition, 19 pure silver and 23 pure bronze medals were awarded in this category.

The Air New Zealand Wine Award elite gold medals and trophies, including Champion Wine of the Show and Champion Sustainable Wine Trophy, will be announced on Saturday, November 24, 2007.

        

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