Tracking down a bottle of Littorai Pinot Noir these days requires both a retail connection and an allowance of $100+ a bottle. Yet, what many don’t know is that Littorai’s owner and winemaker Ted Lemon has long been involved in a New Zealand Pinot Noir project called Burn Cottage, working with the husband and wife team of Marquie and Dianne Sauvage to biodynamically farm 20 year old vines in Central Otago.
Whatever they’re doing down at Burn Cottage has not only impressed our wine staff, but also famed critic James Suckling who actually rated the most recent vintage of the Moonlight Race higher than any Littorai release, despite the sizable price difference. Obviously, the prestige of Littorai and the relative anonymity of Burn Cottage plays a role in that $50+ swing, but Suckling has been consistent with his praise, rating vintages back to 2017 with similar gusto.
If you’re looking for the next cult classic Pinot Noir that’s still seemingly affordable, grab a bottle of the Burn Cottage while we still have some. You can buy two bottles for less than most local stores sell their Littorai allocations.