Burn Cottage 'Moonlight Race' Pinot Noir 2022
A blend of Burn Cottage Vineyard in Lowburn, and the Sauvage and Sappa Vineyards in Bannockburn. Always a nice wine, with maybe something of a lighter touch than some from Central Otago.
Strawberries and cream, red cherry, a little dusting of pimento, white pepper and thyme. It’s medium-bodied, just, with bright red fruits and blood orange, a light dusty feel to tannin, a little sap and spice on a lively finish of excellent length. So at ease with itself and very good to drink. A lighter framed wine, and none the worse for that.
93 Points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
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
The 2022 Moonlight Race Pinot Noir is supple and spicy, with pink peppercorn, cherry blossom, red apple skins, a hint of blond tobacco and white pepper. The wine is light in the glass (but vibrant) and the tannins suit it—they are totally fresh and fine—finely milled and like poudre. Superb, silky, totally satisfying and enlivening. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
94 points. Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate Dec 2023
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 pts. Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous May 2024
