Bannockburn 'De La Terre' Pinot Noir 2019

James Halliday's "reminiscent of a young DRC" remark - penned for the 2012 De La Terre - was, and is, a wonderful endorsement for this nascent, close-planted site. For those who might not have tasted a wine from this vineyard, De La Terre is a small, sub one hectare, dry grown vineyard planted to 10,000 vines/ha that borders the famed Serré (in fact the Serré vines sit on a little plateau next to the slope where De La Terre is planted).

The planting density - still very rare in an Australian setting - results here in a natural yield of around 500 g per vine (or less). In other words, about Grand Cru Burgundy levels per vine. The vines were planted in 2007. 

"From a block of ultra-close-planted (1.2m x 1m) clones (777 and 114) of pinot noir. Fermented with 10% whole bunches and wild yeast, 2 weeks on skins, matured for 10 months in French hogsheads (20% new). Typically powerful and complex, with dark fruits that have made light work of the oak, but haven't moved out of primary mode. Will cruise along the next 15–20 years, as the savoury, forest floor and spice notes develop in a leisurely fashion." Rating: 97 Points. James Halliday.  Halliday Wine Companion.

“…Bannockburn produces outstanding wines across the range, all with individuality, style, great complexity and depth of flavour. The low-yielding estate vineyards play their role...” James Halliday