Jane Eyre 2024: Pinot emotion from Burgundy to Beaujolais and Oz

Some producers chase volume; a few chase a feeling. Jane Eyre lives in that second camp—the Pinot d’émotion lane—where perfume, finesse, and tension do the talking. Winehog’s Steen Öhman checks in on Eyre’s 2024 lineup and, even from the preview, the theme is clear: Burgundian by instinct, with a foot in Beaujolais and nods back to Australia.

As Öhman puts it, “Jane always seems to capture the beauty of Pinot.” (Steen Öhman, Winehog – with a passion). That’s not faint praise—it’s a north star for how to read these wines.

Style snapshot: Pinot d’émotion, Burgundian at heart

From what’s shared publicly, Eyre’s wines aim for delicacy over density. Expect dry, medium-bodied Pinot Noir with lifted aromatics (think red fruit/floral as a general Pinot baseline), supple structure, and judicious oak. Burgundy’s calling card has always been clarity and site expression, and Öhman frames Eyre’s sensibility right there: “The wines are Burgundian by heart and brain.” (Steen Öhman, Winehog – with a passion)

When the house style clicks, Öhman files them under his “Vins d’émotion”—his term for bottles that elicit an emotional response rather than just technical admiration. He even highlights the mood: “A truly hedonistic wine – lively and enjoyable.” (Steen Öhman, Winehog – with a passion) That line maps cleanly to Pinot’s best self: silky, aromatic, and quietly intense rather than showy.

Translation for the buying brain: if you vibe with transparent, perfumed Pinot—more lace than leather—this is your wavelength. If you’re hunting overt ripeness or turbo tannin, probably not your lane.

Context: Jane Eyre’s path from Oz to the Côte

Eyre is Australian by birth with Norwegian roots, but nearly 25 years in Burgundy will season anyone’s palate. She works as a négociant across Burgundy and Beaujolais, with some threads tying back to Australia—an increasingly common model that lets a winemaker express a style across regions. The throughline, per Winehog, is Burgundian sensibility regardless of postcode. That means restraint, balance, and detail-forward winemaking.

Quick regional refresher, because it helps decode the intent:

• Burgundy (Pinot Noir): Generally dry, light to medium-bodied, high-acid, red-fruited, and savory-leaning with age. Precision over power.
• Beaujolais (Gamay): Also dry, typically brighter and more primary in youth—cranberry/cherry vibes—with a playful, juicy rhythm. Structure can be serious in the crus.
• Australia: The range is huge, but cool-climate Aussie Pinot often channels a similar lift and clarity these days—think Yarra, Mornington, Tasmania.

Eyre’s cross-regional approach makes sense if the mission is emotion first, extraction second. Different canvases, same brushwork.

How this contrasts with the usual narrative

Pinot orthodoxy says Burgundy is the benchmark, and everything else orbits it. Fair. But what stands out from Öhman’s piece is the steadfast Burgundian identity even when the fruit changes postcode. No swagger, no heavy-handedness—just focus. Öhman writes that there’s “not much Aussie style here,” which reads less like a dig and more like a compliment: the wines choose precision over flash.

For Beaujolais, the takeaway is parallel: Gamay doesn’t need to cosplay as Pinot to be compelling. Eyre’s track record suggests clarity and energy rather than weight, which suits Beaujolais down to its limestone socks.

Buying intent: who will love these wines

If Pinot to you means perfume, fine tannin, and the quiet confidence that comes from balance, keep Jane Eyre on your radar. If you enjoy Beaujolais that’s vibrant and food-friendly (still dry, medium-bodied, and high-acid), her bottles likely slot right into weeknight rotation without sacrificing elegance.

Given Winehog’s framing, I’d expect nuanced vintages like 2024 to lean into tension over ripeness—great for cellaring a few years, better for sipping over a long dinner where the details can unfurl. But the detailed, wine-by-wine reviews sit behind Winehog’s paywall, so consider this a compass, not a tasting diary.

When to drink and what to eat

Best occasion: Date-night at home, a BYO where stemware matters, or the kind of dinner where conversation is the real pairing.

Best pairing direction: Keep it classic and savory. For Pinot Noir, think roast chicken, duck with herbs, mushroom pastas, or cedar-plank salmon. For Beaujolais, lean into charcuterie, roast pork, or soft-rind cheeses. The throughline is salt, umami, and restraint—let the wines’ lift do the heavy lifting.

Final sip

Öhman’s piece reinforces what longtime fans already know: Jane Eyre chases feeling over flash. In his words, “Jane always seems to capture the beauty of Pinot,” and that’s the north star. If you’re shopping for bottles that whisper and still stick the landing, this 2024 lineup should be on your list.

Quotes from Steen Öhman at Winehog – with a passion. Full tasting notes are available to Winehog Premium subscribers.

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