2023 Burn Cottage Moonlight Race Pinot Noir

The Moonlight Race is Burn Cottage's way of capturing a vibrant, broad-brush picture of Central Otago Pinot Noir in a given season. While earlier releases sometimes relied on external growers, the 2023 vintage is a pure expression of their own dirt, sourced entirely from a trio of estate vineyards. The blend brings together 38% from the legendary Burn Cottage Vineyard in Lowburn, alongside the Sauvage (25%) and Sappa (37%) vineyards in Bannockburn.

Benefiting from Central Otago's classic continental climate - where hot summers, cold winters, and dramatic diurnal shifts lock in bright acidity - this is a wonderfully concentrated wine. The vines range from 7 to 24 years of age and sit on free-draining soils that naturally restrict yields and intensify flavour. In the winery, the approach remains steadfastly true to the Burn Cottage philosophy: gentle handling, wild ferments, and minimal intervention. The 2023 saw just 5% whole cluster in the ferment, adding a subtle, savoury lift to the fruit.

In the glass, it delivers gorgeous layers of dark cherry, rich herbals, florals, and earthy cocoa notes. It is supple and textural, perfectly balancing expressive red and dark fruit with a clean mineral thread and savoury undertones. While it is beautifully vibrant and enjoyable right now, those fine tannins give it plenty of structure to reward cellaring for 7+ years.

96 points
"Prevalent aromas of ripe strawberries and sliced oranges with peel. Limes and polished stones as well. It’s medium-bodied with creamy, refined tannins and a caressing finish. Very pretty."
- James Suckling

95+ points & Top 100 Wines in the World
"Elegant, plush and lush, with fresh flavors of black cherry, raspberry preserves and lingonberry jam. Herbal accents of dried thyme, sage and matcha, along with whiffs of white pepper and crushed pine needle, linger on the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2038."
- MaryAnn Worobiec (Wine Spectator)