Burn Cottage "Burn Cottage Vineyard" Pinot Noir 2021
(Central Otago, New Zealand) - [WA 96] [DM 96] [VM 95] [WS 95] [JS 94]

Winemaker Notes:
Marquis Sauvage sought out Ted Lemon, owner and winemaker of Littorai in Sebastopol, CA, to plant their new vineyard. Ted proposed that Burn Cottage would be Biodynamically farmed from inception, and that is the path that has been followed with great commitment and enthusiasm. From there, a great partnership was formed, thanks to the potential of the land as well as Ted's deep connections to New Zealand, and particularly, to Central Otago. Ted is head winemaker and vineyard manager, and as Marquis calls him, "the guiding hand on the tiller at Burn Cottage." Similarly to Ted's property at Littorai, Burn Cottage is a fully functional farm, with 10 hectares under vine and the rest of the land devoted to cattle, chickens, beehives, olive groves, and other native species of New Zealand plants, bushes, and trees. They also produce their own compost and grow many of the preparations needed for Biodynamic farming. At Burn Cottage, they believe that biodiversity is the cornerstone of healthy farming.

This is the flagship wine from Burn Cottage: the 100% estate vineyard Pinot Noir. The label is a derivative of a 1795 fairy tale called “The Green Snake and the Beautiful Lily” which represents the ideal intersection of people and the land reflected in Biodynamics. This Pinot Noir was harvested from ten different clones on seven different blocks of the vineyard. 1,076 cases produced.

Burn Cottage Vineyard Property is a twenty four hectare estate in the foothills of the Pisa range in Central Otago, New Zealand. The vineyard is owned by the Sauvage family which also owns the celebrated Koehler Ruprecht estate in the Pfalz region of Germany, as well as several fine wine importing and wholesaling companies in the United States.

Ratings & Reviews: 

96 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The 2021 Burn Cottage Vineyard Pinot Noir is alive and energetic, svelte and composed. As I write this, I am sitting at the bottom of the Burn Cottage Vineyard in Lowburn, looking up the rows. This is a mineral, nuanced expression, with graphite and white tea, pomegranate pearls, raspberry licorice, rosehips and crushed pink peppercorns. This is what I came here for. It’s thrilling, lacy, delicate and focused. Exciting wine, exciting drinking. It sits on the palate nicely—evenly weighted, and it spools through the long finish... yes! 13.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork." - Erin Larkin (Dec 2023)

96 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"From the biodynamically farmed home vineyard in Lowburn. A lively and complex character. Lavender, thyme, blueberry, cherry and pomegranate with earth, spice and a dense mineral vein. A lovely sappy, tonic-like vitality that belies the serious core of dense savoury fruit beneath. Very charming. Time will only deepen the layers to explore." - Emma Jenkins MW (Oct 2024)

95 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2021 Pinot Noir Burn Cottage Vineyard caresses the palate with its suave texture and creamy appeal. While it has excellent density on the palate, it has a sense of lightness. It is not a muscular style but focuses on elegance, finesse of texture and purity. Unadulterated flavors of red cherry and Damson combine with carefully integrated oak. The long, poised, and tranquil finish has a sense of a flourish." - Rebecca Gibb MW (May 2024)

95 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This vibrant red offers an energetic mix of black cherry, blueberry preserves, chai tea, black pepper and dried rose petal, with a whiff of hinoki incense. The plump tannins are stretched across the firm structure, creating a velvety impression on the long finish. Drink now through 2036. 2,000 cases made, 300 cases imported." - MW (Oct 2024)

94 Points - James Suckling:
"Baked strawberries, pomelo zest and potpourri with underlying sweet spices of red licorice and ground cloves. Medium-bodied, finely-grained silky tannins with refreshing acidity. A hint of tomato leaf notes at the end. Zesty and flavorsome. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold." (Oct 2023)