Museum Release. Each year, the Hooper family set aside some Museum stock for extended cellaring, to be released when they deem each wine to be in a great place. Over the years, we have embraced their generosity and been rewarded with striking, mature and perfectly cellared wines. We are pleased to once again offer a slice of Bannockburn history.

Bannockburn’s Douglas red blend is always guaranteed to start a spirited conversation around a table of wine folk. Like the Estate Shiraz, it’s a wine that showcases the depth and strength of Bannockburn’s savoury signature. Named after Sir James “The Black” Douglas—a Scottish knight and feudal lord and one of the chief commanders during the Wars of Scottish Independence—this idiosyncratic blend tells a multi-variety story of Bannockburn’s vineyards each year.

In 2014, the blend comprised Shiraz (65%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%) and Merlot (5%), planted in 1981, 1990 and 1996 and grown on the Winery Block. A small portion of Pinot Noir (10%), planted in 2004, was also included. Each batch was vinified separately with partial whole-bunch fermentation and carbonic maceration. The wine matured for 18 months in a mixture of French barriques and hogsheads.

This is in a lovely spot. Savoury and spicy with wisps of brambly fruits, just struck match, tea leaves, baking spice and wet earth, deftly supported by chalky tannins, fresh energy and a silky, demi-glace-tinged finish. If wild and wonderful is your thing, this will do nicely.