News & Reviews

SRH Chardonnay 2021 reviews

97 points! Medium-depth yellow colour leads into a shyly reserved bouquet which speaks of buttery shortbread, dried citrus peels and butterscotch which is more evident on the palate, where the wine is very intense and even quite powerful, with a long-lasting carry loaded with penetrating lemon/grapefruit flavours. The aftertaste is refreshing and full of energy. A delicious and very impressive chardonnay.
Huon Hooke, therealreview.com, Aug 22.

96 points! Grown on 12 rows of chardonnay planted at Bannockburn near Geelong in the mid 1970s.
Terrifically good. Flavour and line, character and freshness. Yellow stonefruit and cedar, pine/mint and white flowers, a subtle smokiness. The thing that really impresses is the way texture is folded through and, moreso, the way it establishes its power from the outset but still manages to kick into another, more powerful gear through the finish. This is a truly gorgeous wine.
Campbell Mattinson, winefront.com.au, Oct 22.

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April 2021 Wine Companion reviews - James Halliday/Jeni Port

Bannockburn Sauvignon Blanc 2018
'Made in 3 batches of equal size: the 1st fermented on skins, the 2nd in French oak, the last fermented in tank. Unsurprisingly providing a wine of power and length. Grapefruit hits a high note on the finish and aftertaste, the texture is also very important.' 96 points, James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au.

Bannockburn Chardonnay 2021
'Whole-bunch pressed, fermented wild in French hogsheads and puncheons (20% new), 10 months on lees, partial mlf. True to the Bannockburn style which offers both power and finesse. The former is set in structure and solid in body. The latter is all about a world of marvellous fruit and oak flavours: mandarin skin, nectarine, white peach, buttered toast, almond bread, quince paste. It's dense, lifted by a citrusy acidity that is just so cleansing, so right.' 95 points, Jeni Port, winecompanion.com.au.

Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2021
'Batches of pinot noir from different blocks, wild fermented with 20% whole bunches. Matured 10 months in French hogsheads (25% new). A wine of real gravitas and presence, the '21 reflects a most impressive year. Abundant, enticing aromas in pristine red fruits, maritime herbs, humus and dusty beets. The palate fairly bristles in fruit freshness and energy, the tannins pricking the tastebuds and laying the foundation for a long life. Oak? Yes, it's evident in the texture and the binding but totally integrated.' 95 points, Jeni Port, winecompanion.com.au.

April 2021 Winefront reviews - Campbell Mattinson

Bannockburn Chardonnay 2021
'Grown on a range of vineyards across the Bannockburn holdings, from 1976 plantings through to the most recent (2016). 20% new oak, with 70% of the final wine going through malo. Bannockburn chardonnay is never short of flavour and so to this release, though the fresh zing of the finish brings a more modern twist, arguably. Pear, grapefruit, peach, cracked wheat and cedar flavours come strong and convincing, aided by citrus and fennel notes, the latter especially notable on the finish. The flavour of tinned pear here is as strong as it is delicious, it must be noted. This is an excellent release; it’s good for drinking now but it has many years up its sleeve.' 94 points, November 2021.

Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2021
'Bannockburn has never really been out of form but I get the feeling that winemaker Matt Holmes and team have the ship about where they want it to be, now. This is a beauty. Fragrant and attractive from the outset but then expansive on the palate as well. Earth, twigs, root vegetables and cherries with woodsy spice notes rippling throughout. Tension and flow, texture and tannin. There’s a smoky meatiness to the aftertaste, mixed in with decaying red roses, and it’s most attractive way for the wine to sail out. Drink it now, drink it later; it will deliver.' 94+ points, April 2022.