Burn Cottage Vineyard Pinot Noir 2020

Burn Cottage’s flagship Pinot Noir comes from its original vineyard in Lowburn, Central Otago, established in 2003 in a sheltered, north-east-facing amphitheatre at the foot of the Pisa Range. The site sits among the river terraces shaped by the Clutha and Kawarau Rivers, with a continental climate of long, warm days, cool nights and low rainfall that is particularly suited to Pinot Noir.

The 2020 Burn Cottage Vineyard Pinot Noir is 100% Pinot Noir and was made with a small proportion of whole bunches, indigenous yeast fermentation and very gentle handling, with the wines moved as little as possible during élevage. It was matured for approximately 12 months in French oak, combining new and older barrels to provide structure and spice without obscuring the fruit. The wine is intensely perfumed and savoury, showing red cherry, raspberry and dark berry fruit alongside dried flowers, wild herbs, earth, baking spice and a subtle mineral or silica character. Fine-grained tannins and lively acidity give the palate both precision and length, with a cool, savoury finish. It works particularly well with roast duck, lamb, venison, mushroom dishes and earthy vegetable preparations.