2013 Bannockburn De La Terre Pinot Noir, Geelong

James Halliday's "reminiscent of a young DRC" remark - penned for the 2012 De la Terre - was, and is, a wonderful endorsement for this nascent, close-planted site. The quality of the 2013 will only add lustre to that quote. For those who may have not tasted a wine from this vineyard, De la Terre is a small, sub one hectare, dry grown vineyard planted to 10,000 vines/ha that borders the famed Serré (in fact the Serré vines sit on a little plateau next to the slope where De la Terre is planted). The planting density - still very rare in an Australian setting - results here in a natural yield of around 500g per vine (or less). In other words, about Grand Cru Burgundy levels per vine. So, the first secret to the quality of this wine, terroir withstanding, is the yield per vine (the second is yield per vine, and the third is yield per vine.

Even at this young age, the 2013 is incredibly floral and aromatic suggesting blood plums, rose, exotic spice and some sappy, mixed herb notes. The palate delivers plenty of flesh and easygoing power. There's real density, fine tannins and the length of flavour is exceptional. Without question, it's a Bannockburn Pinot that puts this vineyard into Australia's elite. Élevage took place in 300-litre hogsheads for almost 20 months, and the wine was bottled without fining or filtration.