Chardonnay 2023

Bannockburn Chardonnay is made from a blend of estate fruit grown on our established vineyards; the oldest vines planted in 1976, through to the most recent 2016 planting. This release includes fruit grown across Olive Tree Hill (1976), Winery Block (1981), Stuart Block (1997), Grigsby (2007) & Kelly Lane (2016) vineyards. The clonal mix includes P58, Bernard 76, 95 & 96, with various vine spacings and planting densities.

Handpicked parcels of fruit were whole bunch pressed, settled over night, and racked to barrels for a wild yeast fermentation in a combination of French hogsheads and puncheons; approximately 20% was new oak. Malolactic fermentation occurred on 70% of the blend, with the remainder blocked. The wine was left on lees unstirred for 10 months prior to blending and bottling.

The 2023 Chardonnay offers a vibrant aroma of stone fruit, citrus, wet stone and flint characters along with yeast and fresh pastry. Spicy and smoky wood characters are present but integrated into the wine. The flavours are fresh and bright, and the profile shows tautness and depth as a young wine, with great potential. Mouthwatering acidity, tension, and presence define the palate.

96 points. The nose is mineral-driven with an underlying power, giving notes of fresh lemon rind, lime curd and shortbread. The palate is medium-bodied with a generous mouthfeel and striking acidity, giving notes of grapefruit pith, phosphorus, orange blossoms and puff pastry. A wonderfully fresh and balanced chardonnay that will age for years to come. Drink or hold. Screw cap. Ryan Montgomery, jamessuckling.com.

95 points. This has opened up since last tasted, a very refined, tensioned, intense and subtle chardonnay with vitality and energy, powered by bright acidity, its oak nigh invisible. There is subtle complexity, aromas of cream filled pastries, waxy and yeast-leesy, the palate arrow-like with its focused, piercing flavour and acidity. More Chablis-like than expected from this vineyard, and very smart. Huon Hooke, realreview.com.

94+ points. There’s ample flavour and texture here but the length of this wine is wow. It tastes of grilled peaches, green pineapple, straw, herbs and cedarwood. There’s real flavour here, and a creaminess to the texture, but there’s a real cut to the wine as well. It arguably needs a bit of time to soften. It thrusts its way through the finish, drawing flavour along with it. In 15 year’s time people will be pulling well-cleared bottles of this out and marvelling at how youthful it seems. Campbell Mattinson, winefront.com.au.

94 points. The 2023 Geelong Chardonnay is light, fine and floral—aromatically and in the mouth. The wine is fresh and laden with elderflower, feijoa (pineapple guava), kiwi fruit and green apples. The texture is glossy and polished, making this a remarkable release of this wine. Sophisticated, in a word. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Erin Larkin, robertparker.com.