The 2008 Sauvignon Blanc is neutral on the nose with faint grassy aromas – it just needs more personality. The palate is more lively with some attractive peach and apricot notes, harmonious towards the finish but the bouquet needs more vigor. Malcolm Francis continues to produce some fine Central Otago whites with an impressive Pinot in 2007.No known US importer.

The 2007 Sauvignon Blanc was fermented 15% in barrel, comes with a pungent, herbaceous nose with gooseberry, capsicum and a touch of granite. Perhaps it just lacks a little complexity on the palate but it has a well-balanced, lime-flavored finish and hits all the right spots. Central Otago’s Rockburn was founded in 1991 by Richard Bunton and was branded “Hay’s Lake” until 2002, the renaming due to the expansion of vineyards and the desire to reflect their terroir. In 2005 they hired Malcolm Francis, assistant winemaker at Felton Road and the new winery in Cromwell was finished just in time for the 2006 harvest.No known American importer.