Bannockburn Chardonnay

Producer

Stuart Hooper established Bannockburn Vineyards in the early 70's, he was inspired by the pursuit of quality in the great wines of Burgundy, but wanted to make great Australian Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with a sense of place unique to the Moorabool Valley. Leading him to plant the first close-planted Pinot Noir vineyard in Australia. Although Stuart has since passed, Bannockburn remains in the Hooper family, and his vision to make unique, distinctive and age worthy wines lives on today.

Since 2015, Matt Holmes has been head winemaker, steering the wines from strength to strength. His approach involves minimal additions and interventions in the winery, allowing the fruit's natural flavour to shine. Lucas Grigsby, head viticulturist, has been farming the land for 37 years, tirelessly converting the whole estate to organic farming practices and continually working with the team to ensure the overall health and fertility of the land. 

Tasting Note

2023

Successfully toeing the line between richness and power and purity and drive, all in perfect harmony. A blend of Chardonnay fruit from across the estates' established vines. The fruit was handpicked, whole bunch pressed, settled over night and racked to a mixture of old and 20% new French oak. 70% of the wine went through full Malolactic fermentation and the remainder was blocked. The wine was left on lees unstirred for 10 months prior to blending and bottling.

"There’s ample flavour and texture here but the length of this wine is wow. It tastes of grilled peaches, green pineapple, straw, herbs and cedarwood. There’s real flavour here, and a creaminess to the texture, but there’s a real cut to the wine as well. It arguably needs a bit of time to soften. It thrusts its way through the finish, drawing flavour along with it. In 15 year’s time people will be pulling well-cleared bottles of this out and marvelling at how youthful it seems." 94+ Points - Campbell Mattinson, Wine Front