2019 Burn Cottage Pinot Noir Central Otago – buy online

WHO?

Burn Cottage refers to the name of the road where this 24-hectare estate is located in Central Otago. The property was once used as sheep pasture until it was purchased in 2002 by the married couple Dianne and Marquis Sauvage. Marquis engaged Ted Lemon, the owner of the iconic Littorai winery in Sonoma, as their head winemaker, and in 2003, the planting of the first clones began. Burn Cottage has the unique privilege of being the first and currently the only estate in Central Otago managed according to biodynamic principles, which was also Ted’s only condition for his involvement in the entire project.

WHERE?

Located in the mountainous landscape of New Zealand’s South Island, Central Otago is the southernmost wine-growing region in the world, with a climate very similar to that of Burgundy. To find the ideal position for planting, 60 soil samples were excavated, and 10 clones of Pinot Noir were chosen grafted onto 5 different rootstocks to ensure the vines perfectly matched the specific soil composition. The site itself is sheltered from southern and northern winds by the surrounding hills, forming a beautiful natural amphitheater.

WHY?

The flagship of Burn Cottage’s cellar and arguably the best Pinot Noir in New Zealand. “Minimal intervention” is the term that best describes their philosophy in the cellar. There are no additions of yeast or bacteria during fermentation, nor filtering before bottling, except for minimal sulfur use. The label is inspired by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s fairytale “The Green Snake and the Beautiful Lily,” symbolizing the ideal intersection of man and land reflected in biodynamics.

Bob Campbell, MW – 96 pts

Vinous – 95

James Suckling – 94 pts