2018 Bannockburn Pinot Noir, Geelong
A$58.00
Availability:
Out of stock
SKU
B16235V18
Stelvin. The evolution of Bannockburn’s Estate Pinot continues unabated under Matt Holmes’ direction. As we have seen, Holmes has introduced an earlier-bottling regime and is also being more reticent in his use of whole bunches than his predecessors. It is now the strong personality of the sites—which are now farmed organically—that drive the character of this wine.
The 2018 was drawn from batches of Pinot Noir from several different blocks planted in 1976, 1997 and 2007. The soils of all these blocks are volcanic loam and dark clay over a limestone clay base. All the fruit was fermented with indigenous yeast, with just 20% whole bunches left in the ferment. Élevage played out for 12 months, primarily in Tronçais and Bertranges hogsheads (25% new). The notes below sum it up well. It’s a sappy, intensely red-fruited and very earthy Pinot with real depth and balance. Somehow complex and pretty at the same time, with savoury complexity and drive. Feels like it will be something really special with age.
Medium to deep red colour with a good purple tint. The bouquet is herbal and bunchy, with root vegetable and tobacco overtones, the palate elegant and medium to full-bodied, sinewy and finely tensioned, finishing with lively acidity. A very complex and appetising pinot. (Wild ferment; 20% whole-bunch; 30% new oak) 28 JUN 2020 Drink 2020–2032
96 points Huon Hooke therealreview.com
It’s a bright, spicy, slightly earthy/twiggy number, all dark juicy cherry and crunchy redcurrant. A cool ‘mineral’ feel to the acidity, lovely and glassy, fine graphite tannin, sweet and sour cherries, strawberry, a pleasing sappy tang and savoury slightly sordid undergrowth character, and a fresh clean finish of excellent persistence. Comes up very well in the glass, and while I wasn’t quite sure of it at first, it won me over in quick time.
94+ points Gary Walsh winefront.com.au
| Product/Service Sold Out | Yes |
|---|---|
| En Primeur | No |
| New Arrivals | No |
| Wine Type | Red Wine |
| Wine Style | Traditional |
| Country | Australia |
| Region | Geelong |
| Varietals | Pinot Noir |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Wine Points | 96 |
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