Description
Since its establishment by Stuart Reginald Hooper in 1974, Bannockburn Vineyards has been at the vanguard of the Australian fine wine story, producing vineyard specific wines of the highest quality from the start. It lies 25 kilometres northwest of Geelong, located in the Moorabool Valley sub-region, just outside the township of Bannockburn. The estate comprises 26 vineyard blocks – including the iconic Serré vineyard (now the site of Australia’s oldest close-planted Pinot Noir vines) – planted to seven grape varieties, of which Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz form the key quintet. Here, Bannockburn’s predominantly mature vines are rooted in one of Victorias’ most unique low-fertility terroirs; volcanic surface debris and ancient sea beds running to richer and darker soils, layered over predominantly limestone bedrock.
As we have said before, under Matt Holmes, the style of Bannockburn Pinot Noir is now less extravagant than that of his predecessors. Today we see more purity and balance, more harmony in the glass derived in part from the benefits of organic viticulture and partly from decisions made in the winery: a more pragmatic use of whole bunches and an earlier bottling regime.
Sourced from estate vineyards planted between 1976 and 2007—including Olive Tree Hill, 10 Rows, Stuart Block, Ann’s Block and De La Terre—this Pinot Noir draws on clonal material MV6, 114, 115 and 777 across varied site expressions. Handpicked parcels were wild fermented separately with ~20% whole bunch inclusion, then matured in French hogsheads and puncheons (25% new oak) for 10 months on lees prior to blending. The 2025 vintage—Bannockburn’s earliest harvest on record—delivered wines of generosity, clarity and fine structural precision. This release shows red and dark cherry fruit layered with earthy, savoury depth underpinned by fine-grained tannins and a long drive that speaks clearly of site and season.
97 points, Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion “A lovely Bannockburn pinot noir. Opens with perfumed aromas of red cherry, wild strawberry, rose bush and subtle cardamom and nutmeg spice. Medium bodied on the palate, with an excellent core of fruit, yet it’s equally light on its feet. The tannins are sinewy and in perfect harmony with the fruit. Very long. Delicious now and will be even better in six to 10 years.”
95 points, Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front “The first word that came to mind was unsweet. I’m not even sure that’s a word. This is a particularly earthen Pinot Noir with root vegetable characters running through black cherry, chicory, woodsmoke and fistfuls of roasted spices. I’m tempted to call this Pinot Noir for grown-ups but that’s a silly phrase so I’ll refrain. We get beautiful, fine-meshed, grapey tannin here, and sinewy characters, and a genuine, savoury push of flavour through the finish. I’m as certain as I can be that this wine will mature well.”
RRP $80 Our Special Price $62.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine.
