Bannockburn Shiraz 2022 (6 Bottles) Geelong

Bannockburn’s Shiraz is drawn predominately from vines in the south-facing Winery Block (planted in 1990), along with some fruit from the Range Road site (planted in 1974) and some declassified De La Roche. All sites possess soils of mainly volcanic scoria over basalt, clay and loam with a limestone clay base.

The 2017 was wild fermented with just 10% whole bunches and spent two weeks on skins before being pressed, settled and racked to French oak puncheons (20% new) for 13 months élevage. It’s a harmonious and super-seductive expression of this wine with fleshy plum and blackcurrant fruit and hints of olive, black pepper and spice. A fine tannin structure underpins it all. A superb release of this wine.

“This offers quite meaty aromas with savory and spicy notes, across rich blackberry and red-plum aromas. Some chocolate, too. The palate is medium-bodied and has good depth of fine tannin, carrying spicy berry flavors. Drink or hold. Screw cap.” 94 Points, Jamessuckling.com

“This is low in alcohol, carries flashes of corn and truffle, is spicy and slightly vegetal too. In a good way, in my opinion. There’s a core of sweet berried fruit, silken texture, a general nuttiness and a finish that is both well sustained and riddled with complex, peppery, smoke-infused flavour. I looked at this over the course of 24 hours; it was screwed tight at first but it softened and relaxed considerably, though its laces remained intact. The level of complexity here is beyond average, let’s just say, and it’s been put to seamless effect.” 94 Points, Campbell Mattinson, The Winefront