Northburn Station is just five minutes from Cromwell, Central Otago and comprises of a vineyard, a cellar door restaurant and a wedding and function venue. They also produce some pretty good Pinot Noir and a small amount of Riesling. All Northburn wines are made from 100% Northburn fruit, the two wines reviewed from the same seven clones of Pinot Noir and made by a couple of great winemakers: Michelle Richardson at the Maude Winery (2010) and Richard Broadhead at Mount Edward (2011.) Here are my impressions of the latest Northburn Station Pinot Noir releases. I had to warm them both (winter!) and tasted both in XL5 and Spiegelau Burgundy glasses to get a better overview of them.

Northburn Station Bill’s Blend Pinot Noir Central Otago 2010
100% Pinot blended from several blocks at Northburn, with vine age from 8-10 years, hand picked in April 2010 and made by Michelle Richardson at Maude Winery using traditional techniques then spending 10 months in French Oak. Only 410 cases bottled.

Bright red cherry in colour, soft red berry fruits in the nose with a shy savoury element, and a little hint of spice. Lighter bodied wine with spicy plums on the palate, silky tannins, a restrained amount of oak and bright acidity lead into a on dry but juicy moreish finish. Pleasant and very approachable. Alcohol/Vol 14%

Northburn Station Bill’s Blend Pinot Noir Central Otago 2011
Again 100% Pinot Noir, same clones but a year later from the same vines. This time made by Richard Broadhead at Mount Edward Winery, using similar winemaking techniques also spending 10 months in French oak. This vintage was unfined and unfiltered contributing to the more velvelty texture of the wine.

Slightly lighter in colour than the 2010, with cherry & raspberry fruit and a hint of forest / spice in the nose. Tart cherry and sweet plum fruit on the palate with a velvety mouthfeel,  well structured with fresh acidity, fine tannins and subtle oak – need a little more time to integrate and balance out, otherwise I really liked it – so did Glenys – fresh, clean and again, quite moreish. Alcohol/Vol 14%