Product Description:
The 2022 Burn Cottage Vineyard Riesling Grüner Veltliner is a distinctive and expressive blend that captures the essence of Central Otago's unique microclimate. With this eighth release, the wine showcases the purity and complexity that comes from the careful combination of Riesling and Grüner Veltliner. The Riesling contributes vibrant citrus and floral aromas, while the Grüner Veltliner adds spice and a rich textural palate. The wine benefits from skin contact during fermentation, enhancing its mineral character and giving it a supple structure. The result is a wine that is both aromatic and texturally rich, with exceptional balance and length.
Maker:
Marquis Savage, a Chicago wine importer, discovered the enchanting allure of Central Otago during what was intended to be a brief tour of the region. Captivated by its unique charm and potential, he seized the opportunity to acquire 24 hectares in the Cromwell basin. These vineyards were meticulously planted with clones tailored to the specific soil types, all while adhering to biodynamic principles.
To ensure the success of this venture, Savage enlisted the expertise of Ted Lemon from Littorai, a seasoned veteran with over three decades of experience in terroir-driven winegrowing, spanning Burgundy, California, and Oregon. This collaboration laid a strong foundation for the vineyards.
At the helm of winemaking is Claire Mullholland, a born-and-bred talent of Central Otago. Previously associated with Martinborough Vineyards and Amisfield, Claire has a keen ability to unlock the bright, lively, and profound potential of these vineyards year after year. Her journey began after university, where she honed her skills in the pioneering vineyards of the region, including Rippon, Chard Farm, and Gibbston Valley. Claire’s international experience further enriched her winemaking prowess, as she ventured abroad to deepen her understanding of Pinot Noir in renowned locations such as Australia, Oregon, and Burgundy. Notably, she worked at prestigious estates like Domaine De L’Arlot and Domaine Dujac in Burgundy’s Cote de Nuit. Her significant contributions to New Zealand wine include leadership roles as head winemaker at Martinborough Vineyard and Amisfield, before she joined Burn Cottage Vineyard.
Vineyard:
In its early stages, greatest care was taken to separate blocks according to soil, aspect and exposure differences. Clones and rootstocks were chosen with the philosophy that the more diversity each block had, the more complexity the resulting wines would display. Hence the diversity of clones of Pinot Noir planted on a variety of rootstocks. The first blocks were planted in 2003. The vineyard development has continued at a loving and deliberate pace to ensure that only the best plant material has been used. As well as Pinot Noir, there is a small amount of Gruner Veltliner and Riesling planted. The Pinot is planted on north and north east facing slopes and the Riesling and Gruner are planted on an east facing slope at the top of the property. The Gruner Veltliner planting is from the first generation of this variety released in New Zealand.
Burn Cottage vineyard has 10 hectares of vines on 24 hectares of land devoted to creating an enclosed and biodynamic farm system. The Highland Cattle provides integrated grazing of pastures and supply manure for integral compost programs. They also keep bees and have planted an olive grove to produce olive oil in the future. At Burn Cottage biodiversity is the corner stone of healthy farming, thus native species of New Zealand plants, bushes and trees have also been planted to restore native habitats. The energetic and crystalline wines the site produces stand as palpable evidence of their success.
Tasting Notes:
NOSE:
Aromatic & Complex
Enticing notes of white peach, jasmine, lime, white pepper, and a hint of ginger spice, with underlying floral and citrus undertones.
PALATE:
Textured & Expressive
A richly textured palate with a lovely chalky mineral element. The wine’s depth is complemented by bright citrus, stonefruit, and ginger notes, framed by a fine phenolic structure that adds complexity and richness.
FINISH:
Long & Balanced
The finish is clean, with bright acidity and a mineral persistence that gives this wine exceptional length and balance.
Reviews + Accolades:
Discrete aromas of lemon sherbet, lime zest, orange blossoms and gunsmoke. The light-bodied palate has laserlike acidity, giving a tangy feel to this delicious and vibrant blend of 65% riesling and 35% gruner veltliner. Delicious. Drink or hold. Screw cap. - James Suckiling, 93 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - White Wine
Varietal - Riesling, Gruner Veltliner
Country - New Zealand
Region - Central Otago
Vintage - 2022
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13%
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