Shiraz 2013

Bannockburn Shiraz is made from a blend of estate fruit grown on our established vineyards; the oldest vines planted in 1974 through to the more recent 2007 planting. This release includes fruit grown across Range (1974), Winery Block (1990, 1996); De La Roche (2007) vineyards. The clonal mix includes PT23, R6WV28 and ‘Best’s Old Block’ with various vine spacings and planting densities.

Handpicked parcels of fruit were wild fermented separately with approximately 60% whole bunch overall including a portion of carbonic maceration. After pressing the wine was racked to a combination of hogsheads and puncheons of which one third was new oak. The wine was left undisturbed for 10 months, then racked to old barriques for another 6 months maturation prior to blending and bottling.

An elegant and complex nose of spice, pepper, black cherry and blackberry compote that is deceptively elegant for a firm wine; but with dusty tannins and savoury spice providing complexity and a deep structure. This is a powerful wine and a wine that will offer a lot of pleasure now but will reward further cellar time.

93 points. Savory and earth-driven, with roasted game meat, earth and olive tapenede. The palate is full-bodied with firmly integrated tannins, showing notes of saltbush, dried herbs and wet earth. Has softened with time; a food wine for sure. Drink or hold. Screw cap. Ryan Montgomery, jamessuckling.com