2024 Devils Staircase Pinot Noir, Central Otago

The wine offers fabulous fruit purity together with elegant savoury nuances, wonderfully framed by polished tannins. Delightfully composed and immediately appealing.

93 points Sam Kim for Wine Orbit

The Devil's Staircase takes its name from the winding road that runs from Queenstown to Kingston along the shores of Lake Wakatipu. It is Rockburn's most approachable Pinot Noir expression, sourced from their Parkburn and Gibbston Valley vineyards.

The 2024 growing season in Central Otago was warm and dry, producing well-concentrated fruit with good even ripeness across both sites. Vinified in tank without oak to keep the fruit clean and immediate. Extended skin contact of 18 to 25 days builds colour and structure without the wine needing barrel time to find its shape.

Ruby crimson, the nose shows black Doris plum, blueberry and bramble with a lifted spice and floral lift. The palate is medium-bodied with silky tannins, vibrant fruit and a clean, fresh finish.

Best opened young and served with a slight chill with grilled salmon or a mushroom risotto.