News & Reviews

April 2021 Wine Companion reviews - James Halliday/Jeni Port

Bannockburn Sauvignon Blanc 2018
'Made in 3 batches of equal size: the 1st fermented on skins, the 2nd in French oak, the last fermented in tank. Unsurprisingly providing a wine of power and length. Grapefruit hits a high note on the finish and aftertaste, the texture is also very important.' 96 points, James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au.

Bannockburn Chardonnay 2021
'Whole-bunch pressed, fermented wild in French hogsheads and puncheons (20% new), 10 months on lees, partial mlf. True to the Bannockburn style which offers both power and finesse. The former is set in structure and solid in body. The latter is all about a world of marvellous fruit and oak flavours: mandarin skin, nectarine, white peach, buttered toast, almond bread, quince paste. It's dense, lifted by a citrusy acidity that is just so cleansing, so right.' 95 points, Jeni Port, winecompanion.com.au.

Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2021
'Batches of pinot noir from different blocks, wild fermented with 20% whole bunches. Matured 10 months in French hogsheads (25% new). A wine of real gravitas and presence, the '21 reflects a most impressive year. Abundant, enticing aromas in pristine red fruits, maritime herbs, humus and dusty beets. The palate fairly bristles in fruit freshness and energy, the tannins pricking the tastebuds and laying the foundation for a long life. Oak? Yes, it's evident in the texture and the binding but totally integrated.' 95 points, Jeni Port, winecompanion.com.au.

April 2021 Winefront reviews - Campbell Mattinson

Bannockburn Chardonnay 2021
'Grown on a range of vineyards across the Bannockburn holdings, from 1976 plantings through to the most recent (2016). 20% new oak, with 70% of the final wine going through malo. Bannockburn chardonnay is never short of flavour and so to this release, though the fresh zing of the finish brings a more modern twist, arguably. Pear, grapefruit, peach, cracked wheat and cedar flavours come strong and convincing, aided by citrus and fennel notes, the latter especially notable on the finish. The flavour of tinned pear here is as strong as it is delicious, it must be noted. This is an excellent release; it’s good for drinking now but it has many years up its sleeve.' 94 points, November 2021.

Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2021
'Bannockburn has never really been out of form but I get the feeling that winemaker Matt Holmes and team have the ship about where they want it to be, now. This is a beauty. Fragrant and attractive from the outset but then expansive on the palate as well. Earth, twigs, root vegetables and cherries with woodsy spice notes rippling throughout. Tension and flow, texture and tannin. There’s a smoky meatiness to the aftertaste, mixed in with decaying red roses, and it’s most attractive way for the wine to sail out. Drink it now, drink it later; it will deliver.' 94+ points, April 2022.

November 2021 Winefront reviews - Campbell Mattinson

Bannockburn Riesling 2021
'I love the texture of this. It keeps the race going but there’s a gentle hug as it passes along. Citrus, slate, lemon sorbet, green apple and smoked herb notes. It feels and tastes sophisticated. It’s dry and tight through the finish; it’s good now but it will develop nicely over the medium term. This was aged in oak but there are no overt oak flavours to be found; texture though, that’s another (positive) thing.' 93 points, November 2021.

Bannockburn Sauvignon Blanc 2018
'As far as I know this is current which means that it’s released as a three-nearly-four-year-old. It’s a juicy, generous white wine on the one hand and s smoky and complex one on the other. It tastes of grapefruit and meal, tropical fruit and hay, with sweet pea-like notes humming in the background. It tastes both varietal and distinctively itself. The velvety flow of complex-but-juicy fruit flavour here is lovely.' 92 points, November 2021.

Bannockburn Shiraz 2018
'Yes. Very good release. Right in the zone. Peppered cherries, red and black, with woodsmoke and herbs. Bacon-like oak, totally in synch with the flavour profile of the wine. You get the feeling that these Bannockburn wines have re-found their equilibrium. This is fresh, complex, savoury and well-fruited. It’s an excellent combination of traits.' 93 points, November 2021.

 

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