2021 Burn Cottage Vineyard Pinot Noir

The 2021 Sauvage Vineyard Pinot Noir is supremely pretty. It's elegant and fine and still powerful, thanks to the Bannockburn area; however, the wine itself shows rose petals and spring flowers, graphite and pencil lead, white pepper and tapenade. Svelte and sleek, this is composed and detailed and so, so good. I am (mostly) resisting hyperbole and adverbs here. This is a standout wine from a superstar producer—an asset for the region and indeed the country (and the New World in general). 13.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.

Juicy and lively strawberries, red plums and lavender followed by vanilla beans, salted caramel and a touch of squeezed orange wedge. Mineral. Medium-bodied wine with fine velvety tannins and acidity. Very precisely framed wine with great harmony. It’s beautiful already but will age gracefully.