2018 Central Otago Pinot Noir

From the biodynamically farmed "home" vineyard, the 2018 Burn Cottage Vineyard Pinot Noir features hints of thyme, mocha and cedar, all accenting kaleidoscopic fruit notes that range from plums to red raspberries and back. Medium-bodied, it's expansive on the palate without being weighty, silky and ripe while still being structured, with a long, richly textural finish. While drinkable now, it will certainly still be going strong a decade (and probably longer) from now.

Burn Cottage has managed to capture a sense of coolness despite the warm vintage. There's lovely transparency and delicacy on the midpalate while still being ripe: dried cranberries, red cherry, almond, Christmas spice and even a slight lift of pepper. The tannins offer a fine powdery sensation and the 23% new oak provides background support for the fruit. A solid, layered effort.