2020 Burn Cottage Vineyard Pinot Noir

Region: Central Otago, New Zealand

Grape: Pinot Noir

Culinary Suggestions: Wagyu Steak, Peking Duck, Lamb Cutlets

Vineyard Practice: Organic, Biodynamic, Vegan

About

Chicago wine importer Marquis Savage fell in love with Central Otago on what was meant to be a quick tour of the region. Falling in love meant purchasing 24 hectares in the Cromwell basin, which were subsequently planted with clones specific to soil type and in accordance with biodynamic principles. Enlisted to help in this task was Ted Lemon of Littorai, who brought with him more than three decades of practical knowledge of terroir winegrowing based on experience in Burgundy, California and Oregon. Ted continues to play a key role in defining the path of the wines, and counts on the experienced and super-talented Claire Mullholland, formerly of Martinborough Vineyards and Amisfield, to take charge of day-to-day winemaking. Burn Cottage’s reputation has justly spread far and wide - and fast. From the 2014 vintage the estate expanded the range to include the regional Moonlight Race Pinot Noir and another Pinot from the exceptional Valli vineyard. The Pinot Noir from the Burn Cottage vineyard is a modern classic, and the same site now makes a distinctive and delicious Riesling / Grüner Veltliner blend. - Importer Note

Tasting Notes

It feels like a whole life ago I stood at the original Burn Cottage vineyard and looked at its verdant glory – early days, but geez, the wildlife, the flowers, the bees and insects and hairy staff (aside Claire Mulholland), it had it all. And still does. I cruised past the Sauvage vineyard today en route to home base and was glad to see furry grasses and vines akimbo. Anyways, here we go.

It’s tightly wound and cinched with fine, silty tannins. Perfume is a little mute, but that’s ok, dark cherry, a bit of flinty minerality, new leather, kirsch and dark chocolate apparent. Flavours similar but strongly minerally, briny acidity a feature, orangey acidity and a cool breeze of bergamot piquancy-bitterness in the mix. Succulent as all get out too, kinda refreshing all up. A beauty.

95 points - Mike Bennie, The Wine Front November 2022

Drink: 2022 - 2035