2023 Rockburn Seven Barrels "Dick Bunton Vineyard" Gibbston Pinot Noir
Regular price
$99.00
RRP $99 / 750ml
Rockburn Seven Barrels; the name says it all really. Every year we fill hundreds of French oak barrels with Pinot Noir, and every year we search for those individual barrels that most eloquently speak of site and season. We present the results of that search to you here with a wine that exhibits the attributes we enjoy most about Gibbston Pinot Noir; subtlety, elegance and personality.
"This wine exemplifies the sophistication of Pinot Noir that comes from the Gibbston Valley. In the glass the colour is an opalescent light garnet and when taken to the nose you are rewarded with a wonderful aroma of spice and florals with a lovely nuance of oak. Letting the wine ‘breathe’ for a while will reward you with delicate forest floor characters. Restrained strawberry and raspberry flavours are suspended on a fabulous acid structure and very fine tannins complement the taste experience. This a beautifully structured, balanced wine. The finish is long and lingering. Overall, the wine is delicate but yet powerful, somewhat reminiscent of wines from the spiritual home of Pinot Noir." - Dick Bunton - Rockburn Founder
Richard "Dick" Bunton, a pioneer in the Central Otago wine industry, began his journey in viticulture in 1991 with the establishment of a small hobby vineyard at Lake Hayes near Arrowtown. The first vintage released under the Hayes Lake brand in 1998 laid the foundation for what would eventually become Rockburn Wines. In 2002, the brand was rebranded to Rockburn to better reflect the regional terroir.
In recognition of Richard’s contributions to the wine industry, Rockburn Wines has rename its original Gibbston Back Road Vineyard, a nine-hectare block planted with Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, in his honour.
Reviews & Accolades
98/100 (5 Stars) - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit - "Offering stunning fruit purity with elegant complexity, the wine shows sweet cherry, dried herb, game, floral, and nutmeg aromas on the nose, followed by a finely flowing palate displaying silky texture backed by layers of fine-grained tannins. Wonderfully composed and styled with a sustained, structured finish. The perfume and sophistication of the sub-region shine prominently here. At its best: 2026 to 2040"
95/100 - Stephen Wong, The Real Review - "Perfumed, layered nose, Burgundian floral, savoury, mineral nuances. Fresh, bright and pretty. Already expressive. Concentrated yet open with fine chalky tannins and soft, flowing red fruit. An elegant, silky style with lots of length. This will age by virtue of its balance rather than power or structure 17 Nov 2024"
95 points - Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Wine Review - "Moderately light crimson, even colour throughout. The nose is soft and delicate, with aromas of raspberry, strawberry, floral hints and sweet spice. Medium-bodied, aromas of raspberry and mulberry melded with strawberry, hibiscus and cinnamon. Refined, powdery tannins lightly coat the palate; lacy acidity uplifts the concentrated fruit, lengthening sweet spice and fragrant notes to a long, elegant finish. This Gibbston Pinot Noir exhibits the hallmarks of Gibbston, showcasing a distinct sense of place and a refined mouthfeel. Match with duck and pigeon over the next 8+ years".
Silver Medal, 90 points - Decanter International Wine Awards 2025
Silver Medal, 92 points - International Wine Challenge 2025
92 Points, James Suckling - "A juicy pinot, showing cherry and strawberry aromas and flavors. It’s full and rich with some orange and peach undertones. Fruit-forward and tasty.".
