BANNOCKBURN VINEYARDS

When a talented new winemaker takes over the established vineyards of a famous producer the results can be explosive. Pow! Wham! Slam! Michael Glover is a steam train of energy and passion and the wines that he is releasing under the Bannockburn label are as stimulating as they are delicious. Somehow fine and powerful at the same time, these are complex and unique wines. They prompt discussion, they test boundaries, they demand food.

Glover – like all quality winemakers – wants, most of all, to make wines that clearly and powerfully express the personality of their sites. To this end he has significantly lowered the yields in the Bannockburn vineyards; he has embarked on a progressive program of organic viticulture; and he has turned off the irrigation. In the winery; wild ferments, whole bunches, long maceration times, extended lees contact and a fastidious barrel selection process all play their part. These factors along with mature vines and high density plantings (by Australian standards) result in wines that are both exciting and definitively “Bannockburn” in style.

The Bannockburn range includes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and a dry red blend that they call “Douglas”. In addition Bannockburn make four celebrated single-vineyard wines: S.R.H. – from the oldest Chardonnay vines in the Olive Tree Hill Vineyard. Named in recognition of Bannockburn founder, Stuart Reginald Hooper. Serré – Pinot Noir from the Serré Vineyard. This site is close-planted, trellised low and has narrow rows - replicating the tough vineyard conditions of Grand Cru Burgundy. Typical yields here are around 500g/vine. Range – Range is the original vineyard site planted in 1974. The vines here are dry-grown with a natural cropping level of 1.0kg/vine.  Stuart – Drawing off small batches of the best fruit from Bannockburn’s oldest Pinot vineyard, planted in 1978, to produce a stylistically different expression of Pinot Noir.

The new white releases from Bannockburn comprise a complex, savoury Sauvignon Blanc, a full bodied, thrilling, dry Riesling  - both from 2011 - and a remarkably dense yet elegant Chardonnay from 2009. If there is a more exciting set of whites being made in Australia today, please let us know. We’d love to try them.