Ayrburn Napoleon Pinot Noir 2023 is a Pinot Noir from Bannockburn in Central Otago, made by Ayrburn near Arrowtown. This wine has cherry and black plum compote aromas with violet florals, an ethereal texture and a long finish. Ayrburn describes it as a complex wine that will age well.
This wine has cherry and black plum compote on the nose, with violet florals lifting over the top. The texture is ethereal, and the length is compelling.
Napoleon comes from Bannockburn, one of Central Otago's best-known Pinot Noir sub-regions. It is a wine for someone who wants to see what Bannockburn Pinot Noir can do, and it is at its best with great food. Ayrburn describes it as complex and says it will age well.
What it tastes like
The aromas on the nose are cherry and black plum compote, with violet florals. Give it air by swirling it in the glass and the floral side lifts.
The texture is ethereal, and the length is compelling. There is a lot of finish here.
Style at a glance
- Aromas: cherry, black plum, violet
- Texture: ethereal
- Finish: long
- Style words: floral, layered, complex
Food to enjoy this with
A wine this layered suits a good dinner with some care in the cooking.
- Roast duck breast with cherries
- Rack of lamb with thyme
- Venison loin with beetroot
- Wild mushroom risotto
- Slow-cooked beef cheeks
- Mushroom and truffle pasta, an unexpected one, because the earthiness picks up the savoury side of the wine
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
In Central Otago, most of the 2023 growing season was hot and dry. Sophie Preece, writing in the Rural News Group's Vintage 2023 report on the region, noted mid-season growing degree days running about 150 above the long-term average. Growing degree days measure how much warmth the vines have collected.
The season changed in the last 4 weeks of harvest. El Niño arrived, bringing rain, wind, snow and frost. Consultant viticulturist Timbo Morrison-Deaker is the report's main source.
Yields were good, with larger berries rather than more bunches. Later-ripening sites picked at lower sugars and alcohol, and with higher malic acid, the tart, green-apple acid found in young grapes. The report's overall view is that the vintage remains stellar.
Technical details
| Winery: |
Ayrburn |
| Wine: |
Napoleon Pinot Noir |
| Vintage: |
2023 |
| Variety: |
Pinot Noir |
| Region: |
Bannockburn, Central Otago |
| Country: |
New Zealand |
| Alcohol: |
13.5% |
| Closure: |
Screw cap |
Where to buy
For international delivery to the USA, Australia, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, China and South Korea, the Ayrburn Napoleon Pinot Noir 2023 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 Napoleon Pinot Noir from?
Ayrburn Napoleon Pinot Noir 2023 comes from Bannockburn, a sub-region of Central Otago in New Zealand's South Island. Ayrburn is a winery and dining destination near Arrowtown.
What does Ayrburn Napoleon Pinot Noir 2023 taste like?
Ayrburn Napoleon Pinot Noir 2023 has cherry and black plum compote with violet florals. The texture is ethereal and it finishes long.
Can I cellar Ayrburn Napoleon Pinot Noir 2023?
Yes. Ayrburn describes Napoleon as a complex wine that will age well.
What food goes with Ayrburn Napoleon Pinot Noir 2023?
Duck, lamb, venison and mushroom dishes suit it well. Serve it lightly cool.
What was the 2023 vintage like in Central Otago?
Most of the season was hot and dry, then rain, wind, snow and frost arrived in the last 4 weeks of harvest. Yields were good, and the Rural News Group report calls the vintage stellar.
Where can I buy Ayrburn Napoleon Pinot Noir 2023?
The Winery ships Ayrburn Napoleon Pinot Noir 2023 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.
