Bannockburn Serre Pinot Noir 2022

Stuart Hooper had a vision to create a vineyard in Australia that would produce exceptional quality wines. In the early 1970s he selected a plot of land in the Moorabool Valley and planted shiraz vines. As the vineyard expanded, more land was acquired, and additional grape varieties were planted. Bannockburn Vineyards, founded by Stuart Hooper, continues to thrive today, with a commitment to quality and organic farming practices. Matt Holmes joined Bannockburn Vineyards as the winemaker in 2015, aiming to produce wines representative of the vineyard's style and site with gentle inputs and minimal additions in the winemaking process.

Bannockburn Vineyards is comprised of 24 vineyard blocks, 8 grape varieties, and 16 clones. The soil is low-fertility with good drainage, allowing for controlled growth. Organic farming principles are followed, with the addition of compost to maintain vineyard balance. The soil variations range from volcanic surface debris to ancient sea beds, layered over limestone bedrock. The first vineyard was planted in 1974, making the vines some of the oldest in the Geelong region. The Moorabool Valley, where the vineyards are located, has an average annual rainfall of 540mm, primarily occurring in winter and spring. The region benefits from a maritime influence, resulting in mild temperatures and long sunshine hours. The stable, dry and low-humidity conditions during the grape-growing season allow for a mild and extended ripening period, ideal for healthy vines and gradual flavour development. The unique combination of meagre rainfall, low vigour soils, prevailing winds and close plantings contributes to the restricted yields and distinctive flavors and structures of Bannockburn wines.

Bannockburn's Serre Pinot Noir 2022 is a testament to the vineyard's commitment to producing exceptional wines. Planted in 1984 and extended in 1986, the Serre vineyard is likely the oldest high-density planting of Pinot Noir in Australia. This naturally low yielding vineyard is responsible for some of Bannockburn's finest, most powerful and most long-lived Pinot Noir wines. Certified organic in 2021, the vineyard is planted to 1.2m x 1.2m vine spacing, MV6 clone Pinot Noir on own roots, with a north-south row orientation on a complex soil profile of mixed clay over weathered basalt and limestone with volcanic surface material. The fruit was handpicked between 21-23rd March, then completely destemmed and fermented on skins for 10 days before being pressed to French oak hogshead barrels, of which 33% was new. The wine was then left undisturbed and went through malolactic fermentation in Spring before being blended and bottled. The 2022 vintage offers a wine of quiet power, intensity and deep old vine concentration. Tightly coiled in its youth, the wine will reveal its layers as it relaxes. This Pinot Noir is a true reflection of the unique characteristics of the Serre vineyard, with a balance of fruit flavors and oak influence. It possesses a well-structured and balanced profile, with a touch of firmness and grip on the finish. Crafted with care and attention to detail, this wine stands as a testament to Bannockburn's commitment to producing exceptional Pinot Noirs that showcase the unique characteristics of their vineyards.

This release is a wonder to behold. It’s firm, svelte, powerful and complex, with terrific length and all-round conviction. It’s a wine with X-factor. It tastes of earth and macerated cherries, strawberries and woodsy spice, undergrowth and fresh beet. It captivates you at hello and makes you sorrowful at goodbye. This is Bannockburn at its best, its greatness bell clear. - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front,96 Points,.

A densely planted site, nigh on Burgundian density, underlain by limestone and a maritime tang. This is very good. A bunchy, woodsy campfire spice segues effortlessly to cherry amaro, damson, ume and the fiery waft of the souk. Barely mid-weighted of feel, so detailed and ethereal is it. Intense of flavour and incandescent of energy. Best after 2026. Screw cap. - Ned Goodwin MW, jamessuckling.com, 95 Points. 

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Pinot Noir
Country - Australia
Region - Geelong, VIC
Vintage - 2022
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13%
Other - Organic