2020 Burn Cottage Sauvage Vineyard Pinot Noir 750ml

This has aromas of dried strawberries, cherries, thyme, crushed stones and citrus rind. Compact and tight with a fine minerality, medium body and tight-grained tannins. Very focused. Better after 2023.

95 points. James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

This Single Vineyard wine from the 20 year old Sauvage Vineyard in Bannockburn. The vineyard itself is located under hills once prized for gold in this region, now cloaked in wild thyme and rosehip. The land below is widely sought after for Pinot Noir and the foothills are framed with vines.

100% Sauvage Vineyard: CL 5 12%, CL 667 15 %, CL 115 42%, CL 777 31%

A very good season for growth, with the farm and vineyard experiencing periods of rain regularly . Some drier more classic Central Otago spells experienced in January and February, and healthy plants were vibrant and strong in both vineyard and property throughout the season. We had some frost to navigate in April, but around this a favourable slow extended ripening. Overall the season’s temperatures were moderate, which preserved wonderful balance and acidity.

Lifted notes of bright red and blue fruits, violets and earthy spice , along with aniseed and darker herbals. The textural palate is elegant with a supple mouthfeel and structural tannins. This wine shows layers and expression benefiting from some time in the glass. Cellaring to 10-12 years.. – Claire Mulholland, Burn Cottage