Rockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019 $49.99 
I’m hard-pressed to find a vintage of this wine that I haven’t gone a bit nuts over, but in all honesty, 2019 has something that helps it squeak ahead of the rest. Sourced from fruit grown in Rockburn’s Parkburn and Gibbston vineyards, winemaker Malcolm Rees-Francis was clearly a happy rooster with what nature threw in the picking bins because his blend of the two sub-regions bursts with life and lusciousness. Classic, clean cherry and raspberry notes merge with soft, earthy spices, a lick of cocoa and create a smooth, silky palate impression. It’s velvety and shows real vavoom.
