2021 Burn Cottage Riesling - Gruner Veltliner

Region: Central Otago, New Zealand

Grape: Riesling, Gruner Veltliner

Culinary Suggestions: Tamarind Prawns, Buttery Lobster, Grilled Fish

Vineyard Practice: Organic, Biodynamic, Vegan

About

Chicago wine importer Marquis Sauvage 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

As with all 2021 wines so far, this is preferable to the 2020. The 2021 Riesling-Gruner Veltliner leads with burnt brown sugar, preserved citrus, sourdough crust, sea salt, ginger and dried lavender. With 68% Riesling and the balance Grüner, this also has much higher residual sugar than the 2020—7.5 grams per liter. This occurred due to the natural ferment, and the winery did not push the yeast beyond what they naturally did. The varieties were destemmed, sat on skins in juice for 36 hours and were then co-fermented. I like the fact that these wines don't appear to show a hard boundary between the varieties; the integration is seamless. 12.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

92 points - Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate December 2023

Drink: 2023 - 2033