Ayrburn Homestead Pinot Noir 2024 is a Pinot Noir from Bendigo in Central Otago, made by Ayrburn near Arrowtown. This wine has ripe, plush red fruit with a savoury dried herb edge, chalky tannin and fresh acidity. It suits a good dinner of duck, lamb or venison.
This wine has raspberry and boysenberry fruit, with blackcurrant leaf and wild red flowers behind it. Dried herbs add a savoury side, and it finishes fresh. Cameron Douglas (Master Sommelier) describes the texture as fleshy, with a core of red berries.
Homestead comes from Bendigo, a Central Otago sub-region known for ripe, powerful Pinot Noir. It is a wine for anyone who likes a red with weight and structure, and it is at its best with great food.
What it tastes like
The aromas on the nose are ripe and plush, with warm red fruits and a savoury edge of dried herbs. Give it air by swirling it in the glass and the herbal side becomes clearer.
On the palate there is fresh raspberry and boysenberry, then blackcurrant leaf and wild red flowers. The texture is fleshy, with the fruit sitting in the middle of the mouth.
The tannin is chalky and there is a backbone of acidity holding it together. Some spice and a little smoke from oak sit underneath. It finishes plush and fresh, with good length.
Style at a glance
- Texture: fleshy and plush
- Acidity: fresh, with a firm backbone
- Tannin: chalky and grainy
- Oak: adds spice and a little smoke
- Style words: ripe, savoury, structured, spiced, long
Food to enjoy this with
The fruit is ripe and the structure is firm, so this wine is happiest with richer dishes.
- Roast lamb with rosemary and thyme
- Venison backstrap with beetroot
- Wild mushroom risotto
- Char-grilled eye fillet
- Slow-cooked beef cheeks
- Peking duck pancakes, an unexpected one, because the spice and ripe fruit in the wine suit the hoisin and rich duck
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.
Ayrburn describes its approach as elegance, focus and purity, with most of its wines coming from single vineyards or sub-regions.
About the vintage
The 2024 season in Central Otago was cooler than recent vintages. The Rural News Group's Vintage 2024 report noted a February hailstorm and a March frost that growers fought with frost protection. Budburst and flowering arrived slightly early.
Stephen Wong MW wrote about the region for The Real Review. He described heavy spring rain followed by a dry summer, with cool March temperatures slowing ripening. Frost cut Bendigo crops by up to 35%.
The dry year produced small berries and concentrated wines. Wong said 2024 delivered wines of exceptional concentration and structure. He picked out Bendigo for its power and its elegant muscularity.
When to drink it
The suggested drinking window is 2028 through 2035 and beyond.
Technical details
| Winery: |
Ayrburn |
| Wine: |
Homestead Pinot Noir |
| Vintage: |
2024 |
| Variety: |
Pinot Noir |
| Region: |
Bendigo, Central Otago |
| Country: |
New Zealand |
| Alcohol: |
14% |
| Closure: |
Screw cap |
Where to buy
For international delivery to the USA, Australia, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, China and South Korea, the Ayrburn Homestead Pinot Noir 2024 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 Homestead Pinot Noir from?
Ayrburn Homestead Pinot Noir 2024 comes from Bendigo, a sub-region of Central Otago in New Zealand's South Island. Ayrburn is a winery and dining destination near Arrowtown.
What does Ayrburn Homestead Pinot Noir 2024 taste like?
Ayrburn Homestead Pinot Noir 2024 has raspberry, boysenberry, blackcurrant leaf and wild red flowers, with a dried herb edge. It has chalky tannin, fresh acidity and a plush, fleshy texture.
What food goes with Ayrburn Homestead Pinot Noir 2024?
Richer dishes suit it, such as roast lamb, venison, mushroom risotto or Peking duck. Serve it lightly cool.
Can I cellar Ayrburn Homestead Pinot Noir 2024?
Yes. The suggested drinking window for the Homestead 2024 runs from 2028 through 2035 and beyond.
What was the 2024 vintage like in Central Otago?
The season was cooler than recent years, with heavy spring rain, a dry summer and a slow, cool March. Frost cut Bendigo crops by up to 35%, and the small berries gave concentrated wines.
Where can I buy Ayrburn Homestead Pinot Noir 2024?
The Winery ships Ayrburn Homestead Pinot Noir 2024 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.
