Bannockburn De La Terre Pinot Noir 2022

One of the most stunningly aromatic pinots we’ve tried in a very long time. Drawing you in with star anise, sweet cherry, blackberry, cola, lavender wood, aniseed, sweet raspberry and cassis. Round and open, the aromatics quiet different to what’s found on the palate. Cured meats, mushroom, fresh compost, smoke and baking spices. Savoury tertiary notes, sweet fruits, gentle acid and sandpaper tannins. Very long and the balance of elements impeccable. Waters Wine Co

“Cardamon, red cherry, tamarind, blood orange, dill and a drape of Indian spice across the mid-palate. Sure, the whole-bunch piquancy is evident, but the integration of extract, optimal fruit ripeness and bunch is rewarding and ultimately delicious after some some air, boding well for mid-term aging. So fragrant, unusual and exotic of appeal. Gently mid-weighted. The finish, a long succulent weld with rivets of green. Drink or hold. Screw cap.” 94 points, Ned Goodwin MW, jamessuckling.com

Certified organic. De La Terre is a beautiful sloping vineyard that was planted in 2007 at 10,000 vines per hectare. Still quite rare in an Australian setting, the planting density results in very low natural yields of, typically, 500 grams or less per vine (i.e. Burgundy Grand Cru levels).

Though penned in 2012, James Halliday’s “reminiscent of a young DRC,” remark remains a ringing endorsement for this close-planted site. After its brief hiatus, the 2022 serves as a wonderful reminder of the heights this site can scale. The fruit fermented with 100% whole bunches for 10 days before the juice was removed from its stems. The wine then matured in hogsheads (25% new). Savoury and pretty, it’s a seamless and complex release with satiny texture and lingering presence.