Producer Stuart Hooper established Bannockburn Vineyards in the early 70's, he was inspired by the pursuit of quality in the great wines of Burgundy, but wanted to make great Australian Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with a sense of place unique to the Moorabool Valley. Leading him to plant the first close-planted Pinot Noir vineyard in Australia. Although Stuart has since passed, Bannockburn remains in the Hooper family, and his vision to make unique, distinctive and age worthy wines lives on today. Since 2015, Matt Holmes has been head winemaker, steering the wines from strength to strength. His approach involves minimal additions and interventions in the winery, allowing the fruit's natural flavour to shine. Lucas Grigsby, head viticulturist, has been farming the land for 37 years, tirelessly converting the whole estate to organic farming practices and continually working with the team to ensure the overall health and fertility of the land. Tasting Note 2023 Controlled and fruit-forward, with flavours of passionfruit and peach alongside wet stone and some lovely herby green notes. Handpicked from two small parcels of Sauvignon Blanc planted in 1996, the fruit is then whole bunch pressed and racked to tank for a temperature-controlled fermentation. After fermentation, a small portion is put in old barrels, the rest back to tank for three months of maturation on lees before bottling. "This is just a pup but it's on its way to an excellent place. Once again, as I was last release, I'm a bit smitten. Passionfruit and green pineapple, herbs, gravel, lemongrass and something sweeter, like mango. It's all cut and thrust and then, on the finish, it opens, allowing the flesh to flow in. Tonnes of length here. Tension too. Plenty going on. It's simply excellent." 95 Points - Campbell Mattinson, Wine Front
