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Bannockburn

The New Rosé, Sauvignon and Riesling
Bannockburn

If Bannockburn’s spring releases are any indication—and they typically are—2025 is poised to be another excellent vintage for Matt Holmes and Co. But don’t just take our word for it. “These new releases,” says Gus Pollard, “are some of the most expressive and precise examples we’ve made of these varieties, each carrying a real sense of the season’s character.”

 

From a vintage defined by the clarity, vibrancy, and energy of its wines, the 1314 Rosé is a no brainer for summer dining, while the Riesling mainlines the texture and tension that Holmes ekes out of Bannockburn’s old vines (1976!) and limestone soils. Then there’s the Sauvignon Blanc, the wine that has seen perhaps the most significant stylistic change of late. Since 2021, Holmes has melded this wine’s old-vine depth into a more textural and mouthwatering style than that of old. All the wines come highly recommended!  

Bannockburn Riesling 2025

Bannockburn Riesling 2025

Bannockburn’s Riesling is really hitting its stride. Riesling was one of the first varieties to be planted in Bannockburn’s original Olive Tree Hill vineyard in 1976. Today, most of the fruit still comes from this one acre of original, own-rooted, now quite low-yielding block at the top of the north-facing slope on the property. A small portion (0.6 acres) of the 2015 plantings is also in the mix. We don’t need to tell you about Riesling’s knack for expressing place, and Bannockburn’s deep-rooted old vines do a stellar job of soaking up every ounce of expression from these ancient limestone rocks.

The fruit was picked in excellent condition―when flavours were ripe and natural acidity still high―and pressed as bunches to steel tank for fermentation. The wine then matured on lees for three months before being bottled. As with the last couple of vintages, there were no additions other than a touch of sulphur. It’s a wonderfully bright and detailed release, with citrus and white florals leading to fresh, crisp flavours and a mouthwatering chalky finish.

”A lovely release with floral-edged aromas of citrus blossoms, lemons, white flowers, lanolin and pears. The palate is textural, with great fruit density and vibrant acidity that carries both weight and a mineral-edged backbone without being too broad. Nicely constructed, with a few grams of sugar bringing balance to the acidity. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
94 points, Ryan Montgomery, jamessuckling.com
Bannockburn Riesling 2025
Bannockburn 1314 Rosé 2025

Bannockburn 1314 Rosé 2025

You can’t say that Matt Holmes isn’t putting the estate’s old-vine Cabernet and Merlot vines to good use. Bannockburn’s delicious 1314 Rosé is made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz fruit, all grown on the Winery Block, planted in 1981, 1990 and 1996. Each variety is fermented wild in tank before aging in a mixture of old barrels and stainless steel for three months. As always, it’s a juicy, full and fleshy Rosé, bursting with sweet summer berries and spicy forest fruits underpinned by a distinctive savoury tone and a lick of wet stone on the fresh finish. With plenty of weight and flavour, this will pair well with a variety of dishes, including anything with spice.

“Floral and pretty, with aromas of dried strawberries, citrus blossoms, pastry cream and mandarin rind. The palate is mid-weighted, with good texture and a phenolic grip balanced by bright acidity. A mix of cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Drink now. Screw cap.”
92 points, Ryan Montgomery, jamessuckling.com.
Bannockburn 1314 Rosé 2025
Bannockburn Sauvignon Blanc 2025

Bannockburn Sauvignon Blanc 2025

Matt Holmes has been successfully tweaking the Sauvignon Blanc for the last few years to capture more freshness and site expression. Beginning in 2021, the winemaking was pared back, allowing the old vines and limestone soils to take centre stage. Tweaks aside, this remains one of Australia’s most compelling examples of the variety. The fruit hails from two small, organic-certified parcels of vines planted in 1996 at the property’s eastern edge on a block adjacent to the Serré Pinot Noir vines. There’s now some old oak used in the aging adding texture and more complex aromas. Matt Holmes's 2025 shows an even more restrained, savoury side of the variety with lovely tension, freshness, and clear-cut flavours of hay, blackcurrant leaf, and Comice pear. A vibrantly focused and food-friendly style that speaks clearly of site over variety.

“Lovely and generous, with aromas of citrus blossoms, yellow apples, crushed stones, white flowers and mandarins. The palate is mid-weighted with a rounded texture and bright acidity, showing a nice phenolic grip and a leesy Asian pear finish. More old world than previous years, yet still very varietal. Drink now. Screw cap.”
94 points, Ryan Montgomery, jamessuckling.com
Bannockburn Sauvignon Blanc 2025

“While the Bannockburn wines of today feel as connected to their special site as they do to its history, Matt’s assured, guiding hand marks them as being from a new golden era.” Wine Companion Top 100 Wineries 2024

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