- 100% Pinot Noir
- Sourced from Burn Cottage Vineyard in Lowburn, and the Sauvage Vineyard in Bannockburn, vine age ranges from 5-22 years
- Hand-harvested
- Fermented for around 17 days with indigenous yeast
- Aged for 12 months in French oak (Damy, Mercurey & Sylvain cooperages), 22% new
- Bottled unfiltered and unfined
- Moonlight Race is named after a channel of water that passes through the Burn Cottage property; one of the hundreds of “races” which were created during the early years of European immigration to bring water down from the mountains
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2021
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Central Otago
Appellation:
Central Otago
Variety:
Pinot Noir
Color:
Red
Farming Practice:
Certified Biodynamic
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | NZ-BCV-02-21 | 12/750ml |
Press & Reviews
James Suckling
Score
95
Date
2023-03-22
Wine Spectator
Score
95
Date
2024-10-31
"Fragrant and wonderfully expressive, with dried lavender and rose petal aromatics, along with notes of rooibos tea, blueberry preserves, wild blackberry and raspberry, while hints of tarragon and toasted cumin linger on the velvety finish. Drink now through 2034. 2,300 cases made, 500 cases imported."
Wine Advocate
Score
93
Date
2023-12-14
"The 2021 Moonlight Race Pinot Noir is a blend of three different vineyards and multiple blocks and clones (56% is Burn Cottage in Lowburn, 22% is Sauvage Vineyard and 22% is Luna Vineyard in Bannockburn). On the nose, there is fresh red cherry, plum skin, raspberry pip and brine. The tannins are super fine in the mouth—pulverized and chalky. This is a gorgeous wine, mineral and cooling, with a svelte shape and satisfying flow of flavor across the tongue. Great! And, it must also be said, great value. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap."
Terroir Sense
Score
91
Date
2024-05-06
"Medium-deep bright ruby colour. Blueberry, mulberry, thyme, candied lavender and violet soar from the glass. Then similar flavours in the mouth, with a fruit cocktail of dark berries and subtle herbs greeting the taste buds and lingering nicely on the creamy but fresh finish that offers a slowly-building savoury undertone. Spends about twelve months in oak (25% new). This is a very pretty Pinot Noir: lovely, juicy, and vibrant, it is made by sourcing fruit in two north-facing vineyards (Burn Cottage Vineyard in Lowburn and Sauvage Vineyard in Bannockburn planted at the south end of the Pisa Range in Central Otago's Cromwell basin). Drinking window: 2024-2029."
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
2023
James Suckling
Score
96
Date
2024-12-10
"Bright and lifted aromas of strawberries, wild raspberries, citrus peel and cherries on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy tannins giving notes of blackberries, mocha, lead pencil and wet bark. Refined and pure with 20% whole-cluster. Drink or hold."
2023
Wine Spectator
Score
95
Date
2024-10-31
2023
Wine Advocate
Score
92
Date
2025-02-06
"The 2023 Moonlight Race Pinot Noir is stalky, spicy and bright, with note of Campari/blood orange that mingle alongside dark chocolate, coffee, blood plum and star anise. If anything, this feels slightly lean rather than plush, but it works well within the scope of the wine. In the mouth, the tannins and acidity work together as one, making this wine feel integrated, serious, and fun, all at once. Recommended. It is very fine. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap."
2023
Terroir Sense
Score
91
Date
2024-05-06
2022
James Suckling
Score
96
Date
2024-07-11
"I really like the crunchy character to this, with ripe, al dente pinot noir character highlighting the strawberry and lemon notes. Medium-bodied, lively and energetic with citrus and crushed stone undertones. This is so satisfying and fresh. Drink now. Screw cap."
2022
Wine Spectator
Score
95
Date
2024-08-01
"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.‡MaryAnn Worobiec"
2022
Wine Advocate
Score
94
Date
2023-12-14
"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."
2022
Vinous
Score
91
Date
2024-05-14
"If you're looking for a pure and unadulterated Central Otago Pinot that shows class but won't break the bank, you'll find it in the 2022 Moonlight Race. It's suave and comfortable in itself. This is a chilled out, no worries Kiwi Pinot with plenty of class. Supple, concentrated and savory with fine-grained cocoa-like tannins. It is all oh-so-Central black cherries with orange peel, subtle clove and garrigue. It's a wine you can happily drink now but has the frame and fruit content to see out the decade. Being impatient, I will struggle to wait that long."
2020
Wine Spectator
Score
96
Date
2022-08-17
2020
James Suckling
Score
93
Date
2022-10-06