Jane Eyre 2024: Burgundy Pinot d’émotion worth chasing

Every now and then, a producer reminds you why Pinot Noir can make grown adults whisper in wine bars. Jane Eyre—Australian by birth, Burgundian by long-time practice—has been that reminder for a lot of us. As Steen Öhman puts it, “She produces a beautiful lineup of négociant wines from Burgundy, Beaujolais, and even Australia.” —Steen Öhman, Winehog

That breadth isn’t a flex so much as a lens: Eyre’s pinot sensibility shows across regions, but the heartbeat is Burgundy. And while we don’t have the full tasting notes (this is a paywalled profile—support good wine writing), the arc is clear: elegant, perfumed, emotionally expressive Pinots that lean into lift over muscle.

Style snapshot: Pinot d’émotion, not Pinot of biceps

Pinot Noir, especially from Burgundy, is typically dry, with light to medium body, fine tannins, and aromatics that swing from red cherry and strawberry to rose, spice, and forest floor as sites and vintages vary. The magic is rarely in sheer concentration; it’s in tension, perfume, and that unteachable thing we all clumsily call soul.

Öhman nails Eyre’s lane: “Jane always seems to capture the beauty of Pinot.” —Steen Öhman, Winehog. That aligns with what Burgundy lovers expect—purity, precision, and a gentle touch. If you’re shopping Eyre’s bottles, anticipate freshness over sweetness, terroir cues over oak swagger, and a style that reads hedonistic by finesse, not by volume.

Context: The négociant approach, Burgundy brain, global reach

Eyre is a négociant, which means she sources fruit rather than farming all of it herself. In Burgundy, that can be a superpower when the rolodex is strong—access to sites across the Côte d’Or and Beaujolais that let a winemaker express a clear point of view through different terroirs. Öhman reminds us she’s near-local by now: Australian, Norwegian roots, and roughly 25 years in Burgundy. That residency matters. It signals an internalized sense of place—more Burgundian compass than expat interpretation.

The source piece emphasizes delicacy—the “slightly fragile” perfumed note that turns Pinot Noir into Pinot d’émotion. That’s classic Burgundy thinking: prioritize aroma lift, keep extraction gentle, and let fruit, acidity, and minerality carry the day. Even Eyre’s Australian wines (when she checks in down under) reportedly orbit that same gravity: clarity, brightness, and drinkability.

Where this contrasts with the broader Pinot conversation: plenty of new-world Pinots chase plush fruit and oak spice first. Eyre’s frame—at least as Öhman describes it—sounds more about vibrance and detail than plushness. If your palate likes energy, you’re in the right lane.

How to buy: Signals and expectations

Because the article is premium, we won’t invent tasting notes or scores. Instead, use common Burgundy heuristics for Eyre’s lineup:

• Dry, lifted aromatics: red fruit, floral notes, a touch of spice.
• Light to medium body with fine, glidey tannins.
• Acidity as the backbone—expect freshness and food-friendliness.
• Site matters: Burgundy and Beaujolais terroirs will steer nuance more than winemaking flash.

If you see “vin d’émotion” in the writeup, that’s Winehog-speak for wines that hit you in the feelings. Translation: prioritizing charm and resonance over sheer density.

Best occasion + pairing direction

Best occasion: A dinner where conversation matters—Pinot that floats, not dominates. Think birthday, anniversary, or the kind of Tuesday you want to remember.

Best pairing direction: Keep it in the Burgundy pocket—roast chicken, salmon, mushroom pasta, or a soft-rind cheese. Aim for savory, umami, and gentle textures; skip spicy heat and sweet glazes that can steamroll delicate aromatics.

Closing takeaway

From Öhman’s vantage point, Jane Eyre is doing the patient Pinot work—finding perfume, keeping the frame light, and letting terroir hum. If your buying strategy is “elegance first,” keep her on the shortlist. And if you want a master class in how négociants can be culture carriers, not just grape buyers, this 2024 note is your nudge to follow releases closely.

“Slightly fragile, the perfumed note that turns a Pinot Noir into a Pinot d’émotion.” —Steen Öhman, Winehog

Credit where due: This perspective draws from Steen Öhman’s piece on Winehog—one of the sharpest Burgundy voices out there. If you’re a Pinot nerd, subscribing is a no-brainer.

Source: https://winehog.org/jane-eyre-an-australo-norwegian-surprise-2-2-72221/