Description
Bannockburn Vineyards (25 kms north west of Geelong) have been one of the trailblazers of Australian fine wine for over 37 years. This is from new winemaker Matt Holmes and from this we can tell a great Australian Estate is clearly in safe hands.
The popularity of this baby Bannockburn suggests this wine needs little introduction. For those new to the story; the 1314 is an early drinking version of Pinot from this highly regarded producer. The fruit comes from Bannockburn’s Ann’s Block – a site that also feeds Bannockburn’s Pinot Noir proper. The vines here were planted between 2003 and 2005 to 114, 115 and MV6 clones. This was wild-yeast fermented in 4-tonne, open fermenters before being pressed to French oak barriques (20% new) for eight months maturation. Utilising only 20% whole bunches (remember that Michael Glover’s final 1314 was 100% full stems), Holmes may have toned down some of the polarising elements of Michael’s style, but it’s still a classically sappy, spicy and racy Pinot with the kind of hearty core that is so typical of the Bannockburn terroir.
91 points, Campbell Mattinson, winefront.com.au “The 1314 a.d. wines have been handy additions to the Bannockburn range. They’re made with all estate-grown fruit. This is interesting. It shows trademark Bannockburn spice and stalk-like characters but it feels like a slightly tamer, juicier version thereof. Still plenty going on, mind. Cherry, cranberry, fistfuls of spice, mineral and woodsmoke. Beet too, maybe. It’s the juicy, fluid, succulent side of cerebral. This is a smart wine. It’s perfect for drinking.”
RRP $34
(Also available as Dozen buy .. click here)
