Burn Cottage ‘Moonlight Race’ Pinot Noir 2016

10-Oct-2018

With around 11 ha of vineyard in the Lowburn district of Central Otago, of which 10.24 ha is planted to Pinot Noir, Burn Cottage was always going to be a boutique winegrowing operation. One of the benefits of course is that the size has allowed a close monitoring of the plants and enable the biodynamic regimes to be put into place effectively. With the quality of the Burn Cottage Pinot Noir immediately appreciated from the inaugural 2009 vintage, the demand for the wine was global. In 2014, Burn Cottage introduced the ‘Moonlight Race’ label, which incorporated fruit from nearby vineyards managed sustainably or organically. This wine was well received and has alleviated the pressures of market demands to some degree. Earlier this year, Burn Cottage announced they had purchased an established 5.8 ha vineyard on Felton Road in Bannockburn which will further increase blending options and potentially give a single vineyard wine. Growth is slow, but steady at Burn Cottage, but you can be assured that Marquis Sauvage, Ted Lemon, Claire Mulholland and Shane Livingston are doing it right. Here, I review the new 2016 ‘Moonlight Race’ Pinot Noir. www.burncottage.com

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Burn Cottage ‘Moonlight Race’ Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016
Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Otago
Review Date : 10-Oct-2018
☆☆☆☆☆
Dark ruby-red colour with some depth, a little lighter on the rim. The nose is softly full and voluminous with complex, savoury aromas of dark-red berry fruits harmoniously entwined with dark herb notes and a little whole bunch stalk perfume. This has ripeness and reveals dark-red floral, thyme herb and earthy elements with aeration. Medium-bodied, the palate has an elegantly packed, sweet core of flavours of savoury red along with plums, dark herbs, with liquorice and spice nuances, unfolding red florals. The fruit is rich and mouthfilling and is supported by grainy tannin extraction and grip providing texture and structure, and a thread of enlivening acidity. The flavours carry to a long, lingering, plush finish with some underlying power. This is a rich and sweet-fruited Pinot Noir with savoury dark-red berry and plum flavours with herbs and spices on a fresh, grainy palate. Match with casseroles and slow-cooked game meats over the next 4-5 years. A blend of 8 clones of Pinot Noir, fruit from 28% ‘Mk II’ vineyard, 21% ‘Burn Cottage’ and 20% ‘Northburn’, fermented with 22% whole clusters to 13.0% alc., the wine aged 11 months in 19% new French oak. 18.5-/20 Oct 2018 RRP $45.00

Burn Cottage ‘Moonlight Race’ Pinot Noir 2016

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

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