Bindi Dixon Pinot Noir 2024

Bindi Dixon Pinot Noir 2024

The Bindi family property at Gisborne in the Macedon Ranges is arguably one of the most incredible vineyard/winery sites in Australia. At the large sandstone gates you are greeted with this beautifully laid out hillside slope, meandering down covered in vines, with the family home and winery sat amid the middle - whilst the remaining area is a mix of significant forestry planting, remnant bushland and important indigenous grasslands.

You can see the amount of time and planning spent setting this up for not only the two generations that have farmed the property, but for future generations. Originally purchased in the 1950s as part of the larger grazing farm Bundaleer , the current focus of the Bindi property is the vineyard - planted in 1988. Organic practices under vine have been utilised since 2006.

Michael Dhillon oversees all aspects of viticulture and winemaking - his philosophy is to seek balance and purity in the expression of various individual vineyard sites with this philosophy applied to farming and conservation at Bindi ; the preservation of the natural harmony. Michael served as assistant winemaker to Stuart Anderson from 1991 until 1998 when he assumed full responsibility. Michael learned his craft working with Stuart as well as experiencing vintages in Europe, his passion for Burgundy has seen him visit over 100 Domaines over two decades.

Not only is this a special place, these too are special wines - everything is done on site, harvesting by hand, with all winemaking and then bottling occurring within the property. Everything is fermented naturally, without the use of any additions, enzymes or fining agents. The outcome - easily some of Australia s finest Pinot Noir.

Dixon is a Pinot bottling sourced from a part of the original 1988 planting at Bindi, and some of the 2001 planted Kaye vineyard. Bottled slightly earlier than the other 5 Pinots at 10 months rather than 15.

Michael is clearly a well drunk individual - and this on opening immediately invokes aromatics of the Cote d'Or. Sous bois, fresh tilled earth, deep pools of bright concentracted brambly, mulberry like fruit. There is some reduction at play here, and some very polished, well integrated timber - combined with the density of fruit pushing toward something that does a very good job of looking every bit Burgundian. Its the shape and colour of fruit that stands out, its pure, well balanced, but unlike many Australian has a texture and depth that genuinely invokes a cooler climate. Its an absolute treat and the Dhillon family truly represent great Pinot Noir!