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SKU 940002
$39.94/bottle
Out of stock
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Generous, juicy and concentrated, offering maraschino cherry, blackberry and white pepper notes, with pomegranate and oud hints, plus touches of caramelized brown sugar and allspice. The tannins are equally juicy, dense and plush, with a long, wonderfully expressive finish. Drink now through 2036. 2,500 cases made, 350 cases imported.
Regularly described as being the grape varietal responsible for producing the world's most romantic wines, Pinot Noir has long been associated with elegance and a broad range of flavors The name means 'black pine' in French, and this is due to the fact that the fruit of this particular varietal is especially dark in color, and hangs in a conical shape, like that of a pine cone. Despite being grown today in almost every wine producing country, Pinot Noir is a notoriously difficult grape variety to cultivate. This is because it is especially susceptible to various forms of mold and mildew, and thrives best in steady, cooler climates. However, the quality of the fruit has ensured that wineries and vintners have persevered with the varietal, and new technologies and methods have overcome many of the problems it presents. Alongside this, the wide popularity and enthusiasm for this grape has ensured it will remain a firm favorite amongst wine drinkers for many years to come.
Country
New Zealand
As with nearby Australia, New Zealand has over the past century proven itself to be a superb location for producing high quality wines in vast amounts, with much of the cooler regions of both islands being used primarily for vine cultivation. New Zealand wineries are notable for their enthusiasm in regards to experimentation, and for utilizing modern technologies and methods to make the most of the imported grape varietals which flourish in the rich, fertile soils and oceanic climate. In recent years, it has been the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc wines which have gained the most attention, as a result of their smoky character and ability to carry the mineral rich nature of the terroir they grow in. Changing consumer interests have brought about a considerable rise in the production of organic and sustainable wines in New Zealand, of which again, the Sauvignon Blanc varietals are leading the way in regards to excellence, flavor and overall character.
Region
Central Otago
Being in the south of New Zealand's lower island, there is no question of the fact that Central Otago is the most southerly wine region on earth. However, despite its rather extreme positioning, the past century or so has proven that Central Otago is in fact something of an idyllic area for viticulture, being shielded by the harsh, oceanic climate by a mountain range which results in a favorable micro climate. Indeed, the region enjoys long, hot and dry summers followed by pleasant autumns, perfect for ripening grapes. This did not go unnoticed by early French settlers in the 19th century, and before long, vineyards were being planted on the sides of vast glacial valleys, and even the earliest results were promising. Today, Central Otago produces an impressive quantity of wine, mostly made with the ever-present Pinot Noir grape varietal, and exports it all over the world.
WS95pts
Wine Spectator
Generous, juicy and concentrated, offering maraschino cherry, blackberry and white pepper notes, with pomegranate and oud hints, plus touches of caramelized brown sugar and allspice. The tannins are equally juicy, dense and plush, with a long, wonderfully expressive finish. Drink now through 2036. 2,500 cases made, 350 cases imported.
WA94pts
Wine Advocate
The 2022 Moonlight Race Pinot Noir is supple and spicy, with pink peppercorn, cherry blossom, red apple skins, a hint of blond tobacco and white pepper. The wine is light in the glass (but vibrant) and the tannins suit it—they are totally fresh and fine—finely milled and like poudre. Superb, silky, totally satisfying and enlivening. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
Here are some technical numbers for you. Vineyard percentage is 56% Burn Cottage Vineyard, 22% from the Sauvage Vineyard and 22% from Luna Vineyard. Seven percent whole bunch was in the ferment with 17 days on skins and oak included 22% new French oak. The wine’s pH is 3.73, with a total acidity of five grams per liter.
Winery Notes
The Moonlight Race name comes from a water pathway which passes through our Burn Cottage Property, one of the hundreds of water channels, “races”, which were created during the early years of European immigration to bring water down from the mountains around us. The Moonlight Race ebbs and flows during our seasons, its beginnings held in melted snow and rain high in the Pisa Mountain Range, 1100-1600 Metres above the Burn Cottage property. In our work with biodynamic farming, using the moon phases is an important part of how we farm our own property and vineyard.
Moonlight Race is solely about our two unique estate vineyards: Burn Cottage Vineyard in Lowburn, and the Sauvage Vineyard in Bannockburn. The combination of these two sites produces a vibrant expression of classic Central Otago Pinot Noir. The wines were nurtured using our traditional care and attention, through Indigenous ferments in our winery, and bottled after 12 months in French Oak. Cellar 5-7 years.
