Ayrburn Pinot Noir 2022 is a Central Otago Pinot Noir from Ayrburn, blending fruit from Gibbston and Bannockburn. This wine has dark berry compote, black and red cherry and savoury oak, with lively acidity through the middle. It suits a good dinner of duck, lamb or mushrooms.
This wine has dark berry compote and black and red cherry fruit, with savoury oak in the background. The acidity is lively, which keeps the fruit fresh.
Ayrburn blends two Central Otago sub-regions here. Gibbston Valley and Bannockburn each add something, and the winemaking includes French oak, some whole-bunch fermentation and natural malolactic fermentation. It is a good way in if you are curious about sub-regional Central Otago Pinot Noir, and it is at its best with great food.
What it tastes like
The aromas on the nose are dark and layered, with berry compote and black and red cherry. The savoury oak sits alongside the fruit rather than over it.
On the palate the acidity is lively and holds the fruit up. Give it air by swirling it in the glass and the savoury side comes forward.
Style at a glance
- Fruit: dark berry compote, black and red cherry
- Acidity: lively
- Oak: French, savoury, 30% new
- Style words: dark-fruited, savoury, fresh
Food to enjoy this with
Pinot Noir with savoury oak and good acidity goes with a wide range of great food.
- Roast duck with cherries
- Rack of lamb with thyme
- Wild mushroom risotto
- Venison backstrap
- Slow-cooked beef cheeks
- Pan-fried salmon with lentils, an unexpected one, because the acidity keeps a rich, oily fish fresh
Serve it lightly cool, at about 16°C.
Who makes it
Ayrburn was established in 1864 and is now a wine and food destination near Arrowtown. Jody Pagey is the winemaker for the range.
The fruit for this wine was hand-picked. Each parcel was fermented separately in open-top vessels, with some whole-bunch fermentation, which means some of the stems go into the ferment. The wine then went into French oak barriques, small 225 litre barrels, 30% of them new. Malolactic fermentation, which turns sharp malic acid into softer lactic acid, happened naturally in barrel before the parcels were blended and bottled.
About the vintage
The 2022 season in Central Otago was a good one for growers. Sophie Preece, writing in the Rural News Group's Central Otago 2022 vintage report, described rain falling on and off, with no hard cold snap.
Pinot Noir harvest was expected to start in early April. Later fruit from Gibbston was picked into mid-April and beyond.
Yields came in above early expectations. Winemaker Matt Connell said the weather had been pretty good to growers, and the report describes good flavour development.
When to drink it
It can be enjoyed now, or cellared for a further 4–6 years.
Technical details
| Winery: |
Ayrburn |
| Wine: |
Pinot Noir |
| Vintage: |
2022 |
| Variety: |
Pinot Noir |
| Region: |
Gibbston and Bannockburn, Central Otago |
| Country: |
New Zealand |
| Alcohol: |
14% |
| Oak: |
French oak barriques, 30% new |
| Fermentation: |
Hand-picked, open-top fermenters, some whole-bunch, natural malolactic in barrel |
Where to buy
For international delivery to the USA, Australia, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, China and South Korea, the Ayrburn Pinot Noir 2022 is available via our winenz.com website. For delivery in New Zealand you can purchase from thewineryonline.co.nz. If you are visiting New Zealand, you can also buy it at our Queenstown and Arrowtown stores, alongside a large range of New Zealand and international wine.
Questions we are often asked
Where is Ayrburn Pinot Noir 2022 from?
Ayrburn Pinot Noir 2022 blends fruit from two Central Otago sub-regions, Gibbston and Bannockburn. Ayrburn is a winery and dining destination near Arrowtown.
What does Ayrburn Pinot Noir 2022 taste like?
Ayrburn Pinot Noir 2022 has dark berry compote, black and red cherry and savoury oak. Acidity is lively.
How is Ayrburn Pinot Noir 2022 made?
The fruit was hand-picked and fermented in open-top vessels, with some whole-bunch. It aged in French oak barriques, 30% new, and went through natural malolactic fermentation.
Can I cellar Ayrburn Pinot Noir 2022?
Yes. It can be enjoyed now or cellared for a further 4–6 years.
What food goes with Ayrburn Pinot Noir 2022?
Duck, lamb, venison and mushroom dishes suit it well. Serve it lightly cool.
Where can I buy Ayrburn Pinot Noir 2022?
The Winery ships Ayrburn Pinot Noir 2022 internationally from winenz.com to the USA, Australia, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, China and South Korea, and delivers within New Zealand from thewineryonline.co.nz. It is also available in our Queenstown and Arrowtown stores.
