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 made by the new winemaker Matt Holmes and we can tell a great Australian Estate is clearly in safe hands.
Is this Australia’s finest Chardonnay? The wine is built for longevity. Decant this profoundly complex and yet ultra fine chardonnay or cellar for a couple of years.
Bannockburn’s Estate Chardonnay is drawn from the estate’s Olive Tree Hill vineyard (planted in 1976) and Winery Block (1981), on volcanic soils over limestone with the average age of vines sitting around the 35-year-old mark. The fruit was whole bunch pressed, settled overnight then wild fermented in 500 litre French oak puncheons (20% new). The wine spent 12 months on lees with minimal stirring and no sulphur prior to a small addition before bottling in March 2018. This 2017 release is Matt Holmes’ third (Estate) Chardonnay release, and arguably his finest to date. It’s a textural, sumptuous style with stone fruits, fresh citrus well integrated with ‘le matchstick’ notes and some creamy oak aromatics. The wine is centered around a core of bright acidity, with supporting phenolic grip. All is well.
95 points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front “Bannockburn rounding the corner on the Michael Glover era and footprints and into a new era. Though the motif might have changed, the general sense of quality, particularly as an imprint of site, is all there. This is a good experience. It’s loaded with flavour, shapely and long, fresh while being powerful. It feels pent up, almost muscular, shows stone fruit, nougat, almond paste and saline acidity – the palate is a sensational roll of dense interesting and delicious flavours. Perfume is a bit shutdown, but that won’t hold you back. Wonderful release.”
RRP $71 Our Price $59.99
