Cheers, Randall.
Bannockburn Vineyards
Geelong District, Victoria
It’s been three years since Bannockburn released a full suite of their top wines. In 2022 these vines (the oldest planted in 1974). yielded a small crop of excellent fruit. . Benificial conditions allowed the Chardonnay to garner more power than in 2021, whilst cool nights contributed to beautifully chiseled focus and tensile structure. All the wines here are strictly limited, so order directly through the website to ensure you don't miss out!
2022 Bannockburn Grigsby Chardonnay
RRP: $80 | Offer: $69
LIMITED!
Lucas Grigsby has been the viticultural manager forever and knows the vineyards like the back of his hand.. The Grigsby is a single close-planted organic certified vineyard with mature vines. This wine has great density, depth and grip. The soils comprise dark cracking clay over weathered basalt and limestone. Holmes notices a certain chalky tension in the Grigsby Chardonnay compared to the more voluminous fruit of the S.R.H.
“A high density planting, certified organic. Palate-staining intensity of flavour. Riveting scents of nuts and nectarines, with crystalline acidity to mineral pungency, glittering across the tightly furled palate like glycerine diamonds. This is a gorgeous wine of spellbinding complexity in waiting, just palpable already, but held in an embryonic state of tension. This will age exceptionally well. Drink or hold, but better after 2026. Screw cap.” 95pts! - Ned Goodwin MW, jamessuckling.com
2022 Bannockburn S.R.H. Chardonnay
RRP: $90 | Offer $79
LIMITED!
The source of the S.R.H. is 12 rows of Bannockburn’s oldest Chardonnay vines in the Olive Tree Hill vineyard. The root systems for these well-established, low-yielding vines are firmly entrenched in the ancient marine sediments that form the bedrock in this area.
With white burgundy-like power, this has "roasted hazelnut, dried straw, wild fennel, creamed cashew, peat and subtle stone fruit persuasions. Nothing obvious, mind you. The palate is mid-weighted of feel, but slightly more weighty and bumptious than its glitzy Grigsby sibling before the acidity is folded beneath an undercarriage of saline torque and impeccably managed phenolics, closing down for now. This will age exceptionally well. Best after 2026. Screw cap.” 95pts! - Ned Goodwin MW, jamessuckling.com
2022 Bannockburn De La Terre Pinot Noir
RRP: $80 | Offer $69
LIMITED!
Terre is a sloping vineyard that was planted in 2007 at 10,000 vines per hectare. The planting density results in very low natural yields of, typically, 500 grams or less per vine (i.e. Burgundy Grand Cru levels). De La Terre lies beside the Serré vineyard. The fruit fermented with 100% whole bunches for 10 days before the juice was removed from its stems. The wine then matured in hogsheads (25% new).
“Cardamon, red cherry, tamarind, blood orange, dill and a drape of Indian spice across the mid-palate. Sure, the whole-bunch piquancy is evident, but the integration of extract, optimal fruit ripeness and bunch is rewarding and ultimately delicious after some some air, boding well for mid-term aging. So fragrant, unusual and exotic of appeal. Gently mid-weighted. The finish, a long succulent weld with rivets of green. Drink or hold. Screw cap.” 94pts! - Ned Goodwin MW, jamessuckling.com
2022 Bannockburn Serré Pinot Noir 750ml
RRP: $110 | Offer: $99
MAGNUM: $209 (Only one available!)
LIMITED!
This iconic vineyard is responsible for Bannockburn’s most memorable Pinot Noir. The 1.2 hectares of densely planted, low-yielding, own-rooted vines (9,000 per hectare) were planted in 1984 and 1986. The vines sit on a small plateau in the estate’s signature volcanic, basalt and limestone-rich soils. The fruit for Serré was entirely destemmed before fermenting on skins for 10 days.
“This release is a wonder to behold. It’s firm, svelte, powerful and complex, with terrific length and all-round conviction. It’s a wine with X-factor. It tastes of earth and macerated cherries, strawberries and woodsy spice, undergrowth and fresh beet. It captivates you at hello and makes you sorrowful at goodbye. This is Bannockburn at its best, its greatness bell clear.” 96pts! - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
“A densely planted site, nigh on Burgundian density, underlain by limestone and a maritime tang. This is very good. A bunchy, woodsy campfire spice segues effortlessly to cherry amaro, damson, umame and the fiery waft of the souk. Barely mid-weighted of feel, so detailed and ethereal is it. Intense of flavor and incandescent of energy. Best after 2026. Screw cap.” 95pts! - Ned Goodwin MW, jamessuckling.com
Yarraloch 2019 Single Vineyard Yarra Valley Pinot Noir
RRP $43 | Offer $27
In Dozens: $25
This is an absolute steal!
"8% whole bunches and matured in French puncheons (15% new). A bright and quite deep crimson red. An impressive core of darker fruits, including dark cherry and blueberries, with the oak sitting discreetly in the background. Medium–full bodied, there is both enough stuffing and tannins for this to soften and become more complex over the next 5–8 years." 92pts - Phillip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion
Terra Sancta 2021 'Mysterious Diggings' Central Otago Pinot Noir
RRP: $32 | Offer: $27
In 6-Packs $25
Terra Sancta are situated in Bannockburn (in Central Otago, not Geelong!) right in the dress circle of the region, adjacent to the likes of Felton Road & Mt Difficulty. Planted in 1999 and sitting at 300 meters above sea level with a northern aspect, the fruit off the ‘Mysterious Diggings’ vineyard produces a wine that is accessible and delicious whilst also providing the typical Central Otago fruit density.
"Beautifully styled and immediately appealing on the nose with sweet cherry, mushroom, toasted nut and rich floral aromas. The palate delivers excellent weight and silky flow, splendidly supported by finely integrated tannins. Soothing and comforting." 93pts, 5 stars! - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
Rob Hall Single Site Pinot Noirs have landed!
Rob Hall is a winemaking gun with considerable experience in the Yarra Valley, previously having worked at Mount Mary and Kellybrook. He acquired the vineyard on his childhood property planted by his mum Harriet in 1996 (the wine is labelled as Harriet's Vineyard today), and he has since gone on to lease other vineyards across the valley. His deep experience and connection to place allows Rob to produce wines of immense character and style, while always remaining on the cutting edge of winemaking. These wines are seriously under-priced for the quality!
2022 Rob Hall 'Nenagh Park' Pinot Noir
RRP: $47 | Offer: $42
"From Steve Sadlier's Nenagh Park vineyard in Yarra Glen. This spent three weeks on skins before being pressed to older hogsheads and puncheons. Bright ruby crimson. A pure fruited wine centered around perfectly ripened strawberries and raspberries with scents of peony and allspice. It's deceptive on the palate in that while it's light on its feet and quite delicious, it's also structured with a little orange peel and spice on the long finish. Terrific from beginning to end." 96 points - Phillip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion
2022 Rob Hall 'Gladysdale' Pinot Noir
RRP: $47 | Offer: $42
"From the Willowlake vineyard in Gladysdale; 70/30% fully destemmed/whole bunches and matured in seasoned puncheons. Bright ruby red. Lifted and perfumed with aromas of red fruits, tangelo, pink peppercorns and some delicate floral notes. Elegant and supple with super-silky tannins before finishing energetic and long." 96pts! - Phillip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion
2022 Rob Hall 'Harriet's Vineyard' Pinot Noir
RRP: $47 | Offer: $42
"From the 1996-planted Harriet's vineyard in Healesville; 20% whole bunches, 50/50% matured in one- to three-year-old puncheons and seasoned hogsheads. A medium crimson ruby. Aromas of strawberries, satsuma plums, lightly poached rhubarb and a little potpourri. Still quite tightly wound, there's a lovely core of red and black fruits on entry before the compact and sturdy tannins kick in on the finish. The most backward and age-worthy of Rob Hall's trio of excellent single vineyard pinots from 2022." 95pts - Phillip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion
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