Burn Cottage, “Moonlight Race” Pinot Noir
Other, New Zealand 2016 (750mL)
Regular price$45.00
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Burn Cottage, “Moonlight Race” Pinot Noir
After seeing the major success of Burn Cottage’s Estate Vineyard offer back in February, we thought it’d be a disservice to further delay their newest vintage of “Moonlight Race.” This more affordable, just-as-delicious Pinot Noir comes from an alchemical blend of three biodynamic vineyards and is overseen by wine wizard Ted Lemon of Littorai fame.
His ability to have one foot firmly in the “Old World” is what originally attracted me to Burn Cottage several years ago and subsequent vintages have left me completely transfixed. These wines exhibit elegance and density wrapped into one, leaving you in a happy medium between voluptuous Willamette Valley and polished Chambolle-Musigny. And then there’s the price, not always a selling point for Central Otago wines, which can climb right up alongside better-known competitors: “Moonlight Race” is a superb buy that easily qualifies as the valedictorian of its price class. It’s both a stimulating and encouraging sign for a Pinot Noir value-hunter like myself. So, if you’re seeking an exotic, worlds-away wine with Burgundian flair, Central Otago’s Burn Cottage is the right choice—in my eyes, they’ve proven themselves to be a major player in the no-holds-barred arena of elite Pinot Noir.
His ability to have one foot firmly in the “Old World” is what originally attracted me to Burn Cottage several years ago and subsequent vintages have left me completely transfixed. These wines exhibit elegance and density wrapped into one, leaving you in a happy medium between voluptuous Willamette Valley and polished Chambolle-Musigny. And then there’s the price, not always a selling point for Central Otago wines, which can climb right up alongside better-known competitors: “Moonlight Race” is a superb buy that easily qualifies as the valedictorian of its price class. It’s both a stimulating and encouraging sign for a Pinot Noir value-hunter like myself. So, if you’re seeking an exotic, worlds-away wine with Burgundian flair, Central Otago’s Burn Cottage is the right choice—in my eyes, they’ve proven themselves to be a major player in the no-holds-barred arena of elite Pinot Noir.
In 2002, husband and wife Marquis and Dianne Sauvage stumbled upon this undulating, and sheltered-from-the-elements property. There were no neighbors or planted vines, and the only inhabitants were grazing sheep. They purchased the property in a lively back-and-forth auction and the first matter of business was securing the services of Ted Lemon. With a propensity for Central Otago’s wines and climate, Ted eagerly hopped aboard and biodynamic practices were immediately put into place; terroir expression was to be the driving force behind Burn Cottage’s wines. Keep in mind, back in 2002 biodynamic farming in Central Otago was unheard of—they were alone in their quest. They brought in Highland cattle to graze the land, employed a bee population, and planted an olive grove. Essentially, this is a self-sustaining farm that just happens to make stunning expressions of Pinot Noir. Their self-defining motto: “Great wines are not made from fruit; they are born of the soils which nurture the vines.”
Nestled amongst the mountainous landscape of the South Island, Central Otago is the southernmost winegrowing region in the world, and can claim a climate most similar to Burgundy. For Moonlight Race, which takes its name for an old water channel (‘race’) that runs through the property, grapes are sourced from three premier vineyards: Burn Cottage (estate-owned, farmed biodynamically), Northburn, and Mark II. All three sites sit at 700-1,000 feet and have vines between 10-20 years of age. Soils range from loam to granite to schist to quartz—the product of glacial deposits and old river beds; there is great diversity here! In the winery, a 22% whole-cluster fermentation on ambient yeasts takes place over a three week period. They adhere to biodynamic principles throughout the entire process, limiting the use of sulfur and almost always avoiding racking. This 2016 saw 19% new French oak and was bottled unfiltered.
If memory serves me well, today’s 2016 “Moonlight Race” is deeper, richer, and more energetic than the 2015 counterpart we offered two years ago. It casts a classic dark ruby red core with light pink hues and immediately begins flaunting a beautifully intoxicating core of lush aromatics: ripe wild strawberry, black cherry liqueur, raspberry compote, currant, licorice, black plum, black tea, forest floor, rhubarb, orange peel, candied rose petal, wild herbs, and subtle hints of sweet spice. Although it comes in around 13% ABV (like most Burgundy), the noticeable presence of tannins, body, and overall structure announces that this is anything but a simple quaffer. This is serious, refined Pinot Noir with manifold layers of hedonism nuanced complexity. Each luxurious, dark-fruited sip envelops your palate and finishes with a wonderful chord of savory earth and delicate minerality. All you need to do here is pull the cork 30 minutes before service and pour into Burgundy stems around 60 degrees. The moment it hits your glass, it’s ready to impress. Enjoy now and over the next 3-5 years. Cheers!