The Burn Cottage Pinot Noir is my pick of Central Otago Pinots. Although, the fanciful black and white label features a sketch that could be taken as a warning against overimbibing if you start analysing it.

I tend to find that many Central Otago Pinot Noirs, while fragrant and pretty, have a distinctive alcohol heat. This particular Pinot is simply gorgeous and incredibly moreish thanks to a regime of 10% whole bunch ferment followed by a blend of new (25%) and seasoned French oak.

And these guys at Burn Cottage really know their stuff. Perfumed violets, black cherry and raspberry fruit meld with the more savoury mushroom, citrus peel, dried herbs, cloves and nutmeg. The spicy fruit is immaculately balanced with a fine tannin profile that gives gentle shape without intruding at all. Give it a good decant while young as it took a little time to evolve in the glass.

Date:  7^th March 2015   Price: $75+    Value: $$   Drink: Now – 7 years

Here is the label in its glory below: