2013 Bannockburn De La Roche'Shiraz, Geelong

Planted in 2007, this 0.8-hectare vineyard lies on higher ground above the 'De La Terre' slope, so essentially it’s a westerly extension of the 'Serré' vineyard. The vines came from cuttings taken from Best’s and Tahbilk. The name ‘From the Rocks’ alludes to the plethora of volcanic rocks that litter the soil of this parcel. Again, the planting density of 10,000 vines/ha results in a naturally low yield of just 500g per vine (or less). To put this in perspective, Bannockburn’s old-vine Shiraz from the Range vineyard – already a low-yielding site – crops closer to 1.5-2kg per vine.

Fermented with 100% whole bunches and raised in 500-litre seasoned puncheons for 24 months, the 2013 is a super complex, layered wine brimming with deep, lifted blackberry, tapenade and liquorice-like complexity. Its mouth-filling and textured, yet at the same time very detailed, with the rich fruit nicely balanced with whole-bunch freshness and that racy, saline minerality that Bannockburn reds carry.

Surely the finest Bannockburn Syrah offered to date.