2014 Burn Cottage 'Cashburn' Pinot Noir

Burn Cottage

New Zealand / Central Otago / Burn Cottage

Following a mild winter, there was a good amount of rain heading into spring, and decent soil moisture to start the season. Some frost fighting needed with an initial cool start to spring, but no damage sustained. Bud burst was slightly early and there was great early season growth – with moisture, low wind-run, and predominantly warm weather. Settled weather and good temperatures in December gave way to changeable conditions, and sometimes cool systems mid-season. Later in the season saw a return of long hot days and mild nights, and a great Indian summer. A drier season than normal overall. We commenced picking towards the end of March.
Tasting Note
Ripe dark cherry, redcurrant and chocolate notes precede savoury notes of wild thyme, briar and earth.
Supple mouthfilling tannins give depth to the palate, while the freshness and red-berry acidity retain lovely length, focus and balance.

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About Burn Cottage

Chicago wine importer Marquis Savage fell in love with Central Otago on what was meant to be a quick tour of the region. Falling in love meant purchasing 24 hectares in the Cromwell basin, which were subsequently planted with clones specific to soil type and in accordance with biodynamic principles. Enlisted to help in this task was Ted Lemon of Littorai, who brought with him more than three decades of practical knowledge of terroir winegrowing based on experience in Burgundy, California and Oregon. Ted continues to define the path of the wines, whose reputation has justly spread far and wide - and fast. Claire Mullholland, formerly of Martinborough Vineyards and Amisfield, takes care of the day-to-day winemaking duties.
Biodynamic producer

About

Ted's a lifelong winemaker who began his career by receiving an Oenology degree from the Université de Dijon in 1981. He worked at many prestigious estates in Burgundy: Domaine Georges Roumier; Domaine Bruno Clair; Domaine Parent; Domaine De Villaine; Domaine Delorme; and Domaine Dujac. He was the first American ever selected as winemaker and vineyard manager of a Burgundian estate, at Domaine Guy Roulot in Meursault, and remained in Burgundy until 1984. Upon returning to the US, Ted became the founding winemaker of Chateau Woltner on Howell Mountain. Since then he's been consultant to a number of prominent wineries and in the early '90s he and wife Heidi founded their own venture, Littorai, where they focus on making top-notch Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.