Bindi Dixon Pinot Noir Macedon Ranges, Victoria – 2019

Bindi is widely acknowledged as being one of Australia’s best small producers. It is situated at around 500m altitude in the cool climate Macedon Ranges, about an hour’s drive north of Melbourne. The winery is truly “boutique”, even by Burgundian standards, with only 7 hectares of vines, of which 5 hectares are planted with Pinot Noir and 2 hectares with Chardonnay. Total production is never higher than 3,000 cases per vintage. This Pinot Noir comes from vines planted in 1988 and 2001 and has impressive depth of red and black cherry and berry fruit flavours. It is still on the young side, but, given a little time to open up in the glass, starts to reveal additional layers of floral, spice and undergrowth/forest floor flavours. It is beautifully fresh and elegant with silky smooth tannins. Around 600 cases were produced. Drink 2021-2035. Serve with spiced duck breast, Asian-style. The 2019 vintage has not yet been rated but the 2017 vintage was awarded 97pts by James Halliday in his 2020 Wine Companion