Bindi Block 8 Pinot Noir 2023 750ml

Bindi Block 8 Pinot Noir 2023 is a rare and deeply expressive single vineyard Pinot Noir from one of the Macedon Ranges’ most respected producers. Sweet red cherry, dark cherry and red plum are layered with rhubarb, woodland earth, brown spice and a subtle creaminess. You'll love this wine if you enjoy Pinot Noir with silky texture, impressive fruit depth and serious structure. It is beautifully satisfying now, particularly after some time in the glass, yet its long tannin line and natural freshness give it the ability to develop for many years. Extremely limited production also makes it an excellent choice for collectors, milestone dinners or anyone looking for a distinctive Australian Pinot Noir with genuine vineyard character.

The cool 2023 growing season produced small yields and wines with lovely intensity, perfume and delicacy. Block 8 retains greater dark fruit, earthiness and spice than some of Bindi’s more fragrant vineyard expressions, giving the wine both elegance and impressive underlying power.

Wine Style

Wine Style: Deep, silky and finely structured single vineyard Pinot Noir

Wine Sweetness: Dry

Wine Body: Medium bodied

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet red cherry, darker cherry and red plum, with rhubarb, brown spice, undergrowth and subtle floral notes.

Palate: Full and creamy, with layered red and dark fruit flowing across a silky, seamless palate. Fine tannins provide definition and structure without interrupting the wine’s smooth texture.

Finish: Exceptionally long and persistent, with lingering cherry, plum, savoury earth and gentle spice.

Reviews

Halliday Wine Companion - 96 Points

While the ’23 and ’24 vintages of Bindi’s top wines are being released in tandem due to low yields, it’s so insightful to taste the wines together. Today, I prefer the ’23 of this over the ’24. Tomorrow, who knows? This has morphed into a wine of restraint, perhaps delicacy, yet there’s a certain power and definition, too. The tannins are refined, the palate elegant and the finish long. A delight to drink now and for quite a few years hence. Jane Faulkner

95 Points - Huon Hooke

Recognised for its dark cherry fruit, firm fine tannins, excellent balance and strong potential to improve with further bottle age.

Collector’s Note

Block 8 is one of Bindi’s smallest and most tightly allocated Pinot Noir releases. Its tiny vineyard, very high planting density, seven clone composition and extremely limited production make it a compelling bottle for collectors of premium Australian Pinot Noir.

The 2023 vintage combines the delicacy and perfume of a cool season with the deeper fruit, earthiness and structure associated with Block 8. It offers a fascinating comparison with Bindi’s Block 5 and Darshan vineyard wines while retaining a clear personality of its own.

Serving Suggestions

Serve slightly below room temperature in a generous Burgundy glass. Decant for around thirty minutes when drinking young to allow the fruit, spice and earthy detail to open.

Pair with roast duck, quail, mushroom risotto, glazed pork, roast chicken, grilled salmon or dishes featuring truffle and wild mushrooms. Its silky texture also works beautifully with soft washed rind cheeses.

About The Block 8 Vineyard

Block 8 is a tiny vineyard of approximately three quarters of a hectare, planted at Bindi in 2016. The sheltered site faces north west and sweeps down a mid slope beside Block 5, with soils containing abundant quartz alongside pockets of more fertile volcanic material.

Most of the vineyard is planted at approximately 11,300 vines per hectare, with one section planted at an extraordinary 22,600 vines per hectare. Seven Pinot Noir clones are grown across the site, creating complexity while the close spacing encourages competition between the vines and naturally restricts yields.

Block 8 typically produces Pinot Noir with exceptional fruit depth, earthiness, strong structure and excellent length. Production generally ranges from only 125 to 200 dozen bottles per vintage, making each release extremely limited.

Winemaking

The wine matures for approximately 15 to 17 months in French oak barrels, with around 50 percent new oak. This extended maturation builds depth, spice and structure while allowing the concentrated vineyard fruit to remain the central focus.

Bindi follows a restrained winemaking approach using gentle extraction, careful pressing and minimal movement through the cellar. This allows the wine to retain its natural perfume, texture and expression of the vineyard.

About Bindi Wines And The Macedon Ranges

Bindi is the Dhillon family property near Gisborne in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges. The first Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines were planted in 1988, with Michael Dhillon later taking full responsibility for the wines in 1998.

The Bindi vineyards sit at approximately 500 metres above sea level on predominantly infertile soils of shattered quartz over ancient siltstone, sandstone and clay, with some volcanic topsoil. Organic procedures and inputs have been used since 2005, with a strong focus on soil life, vine health and careful hand management.

The Macedon Ranges is one of mainland Australia’s coolest wine regions. High vineyard elevations, cool nights and a long ripening season help Pinot Noir develop perfume, natural acidity, fine tannins and excellent ageing potential.

Cellaring Potential

Beautifully satisfying now after decanting, though further patience will be rewarded. Bindi suggests the wine should improve for around seven years and continue drinking well for at least another seven years.

Cellar until approximately 2038 or beyond under suitable conditions. Over time, expect the fresh cherry and plum flavours to evolve towards forest floor, dried herbs, spice and deeper savoury complexity.

Details

Producer: Bindi Wines
Vintage: 2023
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Macedon Ranges, Victoria
Vineyard: Block 8
Wine Style: Deep and finely structured single vineyard Pinot Noir
Wine Sweetness: Dry
Wine Body: Medium bodied
Vineyard Size: Approximately three quarters of a hectare
Vineyard Planted: 2016
Vineyard Elevation: Approximately 500 metres
Planting Density: Approximately 11,300 to 22,600 vines per hectare
Clones: Seven Pinot Noir clones
Oak Maturation: 15 to 17 months in French oak
New Oak: Approximately 50 percent
Alcohol: 12.5 percent
Closure: Diam
Bottle Size: 750ml