2021 Bannockburn Pinot Noir

The 2021 Estate Pinot Noir was sourced from Bannockburn’s entire spectrum of vineyards (planted in 1976, 1997 and 2007), including fruit from the iconic, close-planted blocks. All the sites have volcanic loam and dark clay over a limestone base and are planted to a wide variety of clones, mainly MV6 with a smattering of the Dijon (or Bernard) clones 114, 115 and 777. This year, much of the fruit was destemmed and fermented with indigenous yeast, and just 20% whole bunches were used. Élevage played out for 10 months, primarily in Tronçais hogsheads, 25% of which were new.
Semi translucent dark red colour with a light red hue. Red to dark cherry, rhubarb and strawberry aromas mix with some clove, stalky cedar, game, forest floor and spicy dried herb notes. Delicious red cherry and rhubarb flavours make a supple entry onto the palate with complexing elements of dried herbs, game meats, forest floor, subtle stalk, smoky cedar and spice chiming in on the back half. Velvet smooth tannins with a delicate tang to the acidity. Concludes long, highly complex and silky.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5%

Other Reviews....
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. Drink 2023 - 2030+
94+ Points
Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front (April 2022)

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. Drink by 2033.
95 Points
Jeni Port - James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion (February 2022)