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Bannockburn Spring Releases

A Spring in Their Step: Riesling, Rosé and Sauvignon Blanc
Bannockburn Spring Releases
Where there is smoke, there is fire. It’s not just the quality of Bannockburn’s Chardonnay and Pinot that has transformed over the years. “When you get out of the way and allow it to speak through the soils, Riesling is a great conduit for expression of place,” says Gus Pollard, the grandson of founder Stuart Hooper, who knows great Riesling when he sees it. “Over the last few years, our Riesling has developed an identity—characteristics that are identifiable year on year regardless of the conditions of the season.” To be specific, you can expect more fruit texture and tension than you might get from more classic Australian Riesling regions, as well as enticing savoury salinity from the old vines (1976!) and limestone soils.

Considering its price tag, Bannockburn’s 1314 Rosé delivers a whole lot of wine in the glass. Dominated by Cabernet―with Merlot, Shiraz and a dash of Riesling adding freshness―its savoury depth, appealing bitter notes, and bright, fresh berry flavour will have you reaching for a second glass. Finally, there’s Sauvignon Blanc, the wine that has seen perhaps the most significant stylistic change. Since 2021, Holmes and team have melded this wine’s old-vine concentration to a fresher, more textural and minimalist style than that of old.

Expect value-packed wines that fuse delicious, vibrant appeal with the kind of savoury, textural sophistication found in all this iconic grower’s wines.

The Wines

Bannockburn 1314 Rosé 2024

Bannockburn 1314 Rosé 2024

Now in its third year, the 1314 Rosé is already a mainstay of Bannockburn’s range; Matt Holmes is putting the estate’s old-vine Cabernet and Merlot vines to good use. This year, Cabernet makes up 40% of the blend, with the balance comprising equal parts Merlot, Shiraz and Riesling. In the warm, dry conditions of 2024, Bannockburn’s well-established, low-yielding Riesling vines contribute refreshing drive to the full, fleshy berry-fruit profile.

All the fruit hails from the Winery Block, with vines planted in 1981, 1990 and 1996. The soils are clay over limestone, and the vineyard is farmed organically. The Cabernet component underwent carbonic maceration to soften up the skins before being gently pressed to tank for fermentation. The other varieties were simply pressed as bunches to tank for fermentation. Maturation was short―about three months―and took place in a combination of tanks and old barrels. It's juicy, full and fleshy, bursting with sweet summer berries and cassis 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.

Bannockburn 1314 Rosé 2024
Bannockburn Riesling 2024

Bannockburn Riesling 2024

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 that sits at the top of the north-facing slope on the property. A small portion (0.6 acres) of 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 fragrant release, with citrus and white florals leading to fresh, crisp flavours and a mouthwatering chalky finish.

Bannockburn Riesling 2024
Bannockburn Sauvignon Blanc 2024

Bannockburn Sauvignon Blanc 2024

Matt Holmes has been 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.

The fruit was pressed as bunches and settled overnight before being racked to tank for fermentation. The wine was then racked to stainless-steel tanks for a short maturation (three months) on lees before bottling. They say a change is as good as a rest, and Bannockburn’s fresh take on Sauvignon Blanc proves as much. The 2024 is one of the most appealing yet, full-flavoured with tension, texture and layers of complexity as well as brisk freshness and linear, crisp drive. It's a class act.

Bannockburn Sauvignon Blanc 2024

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