From vintage 2018 onwards Moonlight Race has been grown solely on our two unique estate vineyards: Burn Cottage Vineyard in Lowburn and Sauvage Vineyard in Bannockburn. The combination of these two sites produces a vibrant expression of classic Central Otago Pinot Noir.
2019 was a very good season for growth, with the farm and vineyard experiencing regular periods of rain. Some drier, more classic Central Otago spells were experienced in January and February, and healthy plants were vibrant and strong in both the vineyard and property throughout the season. We had some frost to navigate in April, but around this we observed a favourable, slow, extended ripening. Overall the season's temperatures were moderate, which preserved wonderful balance and acidity.
The fruit was picked by hand between 4th April and 13th April at an average Brix of 23. 54% of the fruit is from the Sauvage Vineyard (clones 5, 6, 667, 115, 777) and 46% from the Burn Cottage Vineyard (Block 2 clones 5, 10/5, MV6,667, Abel; Block 4 clones Abel, 943, 777). The fruit spent an average of 22 days in the fermenter, and the wine was raised in oak (21% new) from the Damy, Mercurey and Sylvain cooperages.
Bright florals, red cherry and plum tones are followed with savoury black tea, spice and earth notes. There is a lovely vibrant core to this wine, completed by silky texture and elegant structure persisting on the palate. - Claire Mulholland, Burn Cottage