Valli Burn Cottage Vineyard Pinot Noir
Valli Burn Cottage Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021
“The pandemic prevented us from exchanging fruit in 2020 and the small volume of Gibbston available in 2021 only allowed us to swap 1 tonne (we usually swap 1.5). We harvested 12 days earlier than the previous vintage (2019). The nose is immediately earthy with red fruit enveloping the cedar, mushroom, and earthy loam; with a subtle floral finish. The palate is layered with flavours of tart cherry and raspberry with persistent acidity driving the finish. The earthiness is reminiscent of previous vintages, a characteristic that we now regard as a hallmark of this Burn Cottage site. The palate is generous and dynamic with fine tannin and great length. This Pinot Noir is refreshingly taut and fresh at release and will continue to evolve for 12+ years.
For Valli, it is a fascinating journey learning about this vineyard through very different growing seasons. We continue to observe some significant characteristics of this place that are evident no matter what role nature plays in each vintage. Working with Burn Cottage has helped us achieve greater perspective about our own vineyards as well as helping us hone our winemaking intuition. Above all, we are lucky to share a wonderful collaborative experience with people we admire and enjoy spending time with.” Jen Parr - July 2023
Valli Burn Cottage Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019
"The 2018-2019 growing season returned to “classic” conditions with great diurnal range and a beautifully settled autumn (after the uncharacteristically warm 2017-2018 season). The nose is immediately earthy with red and blue fruit enveloping the graphite, mushroom, and earthy loam. There is also a lovely hint of wildflowers at the finish. The wine is quite focused with fresh fruit and persistent acidity driving the palate. The earthiness is reminiscent of previous vintages, a characteristic that we now regard as a hallmark of this Burn Cottage site. The palate is generous and dynamic with fine tannin and great length. This Pinot Noir is refreshingly taut and fresh at release and will continue to evolve for 12+ years. For Valli, it is a fascinating journey learning about this vineyard through very different growing seasons. We continue to observe some significant characteristics of this place that are evident no matter what role nature plays in each vintage. Working with Burn Cottage has helped us achieve greater perspective about our own vineyards as well as helping us hone our winemaking intuition. Above all, we are lucky to share a wonderful collaborative experience with people we admire and enjoy spending time with.” Jen Parr
Valli Burn Cottage Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018
The 2017-18 growing season was unique with the hottest summer on record for Central Otago as well as the wettest February.The rain served as welcome natural irrigationafter a very dry start to summer.We harvested grapes for this wine two weeks earlier than on average. The warmth of the season rewarded us with great fruit concentration while still retaining fresh acidity. The nose is incredibly fragrant with aromas of plum, cherry and mulberry that are interwoven with savory notes of mushroom, leather and earthy loam. The wine is highly textural and exudes the earthiness of previous vintages, a characteristic that we now regard as a hallmark of this Burn Cottage site. The palate is generous and dynamic with fine tannin and great length. This Pinot Noir is highly approachable at release but should continue to evolve for 8+ years. For Valli, it is a fascinating journey learning about this vineyard through very different growing seasons.We continue to observe some significant characteristics of this place that are evident no matter what role nature plays in a given vintage -and she played a leading role in 2018!Working with Burn Cottage has helped us achieve greater perspective about our own vineyards as well as helping us hone our winemaking intuition. Above all we are lucky to share a wonderful collaborative experience with people we both admire and enjoy spending time with.
Valli Burn Cottage Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017
- "The cooler growing season leading up to vintage 2017 has delivered an intensely concentrated wine with a deep garnet hue and rich fruit aromas of Black Doris plum and Romance cherry that are interwoven with savoury notes of mushroom and rosemary. The palate has a memorable creamy texture with fine tannin and great length. The wine is highly textural and shows an earthiness that is similar to 2016 and may well be a hallmark of this Burn Cottage Vineyard. It is a fascinating journey learning about this site and sub-region through very different growing seasons. We are starting to understand some significant characteristics of this place that are evident no matter what role nature plays in a given vintage. Having this birds eye view of the Burn Cottage Vineyard has resulted in Valli gaining more perspective about our own vineyards as well as helping us hone our winemaking intuition and giving us a wonderful collaborative experience. This is a powerful wine that is intriguing in its youth and will continue to evolve with great interest for 10+ years."
Valli Burn Cottage Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016
- "The 3rd vintage of our collaboration delivers a highly textural wine displaying more earthiness than previous vintages - perhaps a reflection of a warmer growing season. It has aromas of dark cherry, wild strawberry, liquorice, mushroom and earthy loam. The palate has a memorable creamy texture with fine tannin and great length. An intriguing wine in its youth that will continue to evolve with great interest for 10+ years."
Valli Burn Cottage Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015
"The 2nd vintage of our collaboration delivers an elegant and textural wine that is perhaps even more exciting than the first! Lifted red fruit aromas of cherry and wild strawberry with a hint of cassis, baking spice and earthy loam, This Pinot Noir is full of energy with a memorable creamy texture and an electric long finish. Enjoyable young and the earthiness should continue to develop with age."
Valli Burn Cottage Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014
"This is Valli's first wine from the Burn Cottage vineyard in Lowburn. It has lifted aromas of wild strawberry, Otago cherry, rosemary, vanilla and cardamom spice with a sweet earthy note. A vibrant wine with pure red fruit flavours that dance in the glass. Well balanced with a distinctly creamy texture that lingers long on the palate."