2022 Burn Cottage Moonlight Race Pinot Noir

The Detail:

• Commenced Harvest: 18th March to 9th April
• Average Brix at harvest: 23.3
• Whole Cluster 5%
• New oak percentage: 20%
• Cooperages: Damy, Mercurey, Sylvain
• Average time in fermenter: 18 days
• Composition by block:
• Burn Cottage Vineyard: 40%
  • Block 1 Clones 115, Abel, 777
  • Block 2 Clones 115, Abel, 10/5
  • Block 4 Clones Abel, 777, 943
  • Block 5s Clones Abel
• Sauvgage Vineyard: 34%
  • Clones 5, 6, 115, 667, 777
• SappaVineyard: 26%
  • Clones 115, 777, cl5, Abel • Vine Age: 6-23 years

Moonlight Race is a combination of Pinot Noir sourced from our trio of estate vineyards: Burn Cottage Vineyard in Lowburn, and the Sauvage and Sappa Vineyards in Bannockburn. Each vineyard contributes unique characteristics to the blend, resulting in a vibrant expression of Central Otago Pinot Noir. Rich savoury notes meld with red berry and plum, spice and mineral notes. Supple with layers of interest and a wonderful seamless quality through the palate framed by juicy tannins. This wine is approachable now and can be expected cellar up to 7 years. – Claire Mulholland, Burn Cottage

If you’re looking for a pure and unadulterated Central Otago Pinot that shows class but won’t break the bank, you’ll find it in the 2022 Moonlight Race. It’s suave and comfortable in itself. This is a chilled out, no worries Kiwi Pinot with plenty of class. Supple, concentrated and savory with fine-grained cocoa-like tannins. It is all oh-so-Central black cherries with orange peel, subtle clove and garrigue. It’s a wine you can happily drink now but has the frame and fruit content to see out the decade. Being impatient, I will struggle to wait that long. 91 points. Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous May 2024