Yarra Yering is one of the oldest and most beautiful vineyards in the Yarra Valley consisting of 28 hectares of vines located at the foot of the Warramate Hills. Established in 1969 by Dr Bailey Carrodus the 1973 vintage saw the production of the first vintage of Dry Red Wines – No’s 1 & 2. This saw Yarra Yering quickly gain an international reputation for quality and individuality.

Bannockburn’s Shiraz is drawn predominately from vines in the south-facing Winery Block (planted in 1990) and some declassified De La Roche (planted in 2007). All sites possess soils of mainly volcanic scoria over basalt, clay and loam with a limestone clay base. The 2020 was a low yielding year and a cooler season than 2019. The fruit was wild fermented with 10% whole bunches and some carbonic maceration. The wine spent two weeks on skins before being pressed, settled and racked to French oak hogsheads (10% new) for 12 months élevage. Alongside a reduction in the use of new barrels, Matt Holmes has gradually been introducing more influence of carbonic in his Shiraz. Holmes feels the mature Winery Block has inherent savoury qualities (due to the clay/limestone, old vines and poor soils) and the carbonic impact helps to lift the impression of brightness and fruit purity.

We are always surprised by the quality of back vintage Cabernet based wines at Bannockburn and this wine is testament to that fact, whilst it has some maturity, the structure is firmly in place, acidity and balance of the wine is well in check and there is underlying cassis and violet typical of Cabernet Sauvignon, along side the plushness of Merlot and the pepper and savoury notes of Shiraz. A great value option, with a few years behind it, that will suit some big glasses, a carafe and the dining table.

Vintage: 2021 Region: Geelong Alcohol: 14.5 % Bottle Type: Bordeaux (330mm) Color: It boasts a bright ruby red colour with vibrant purple hues. Aroma: Aromas of black plum, black berry, black currant, green pepper and chocolate. Palate: This premium Shiraz has typical feature from its wine region. The palate is spicy and elegant with pronounced black cherry, mulberry, black Plum, green pepper flavours and balanced oak in the background adding complexity. It is full bodied with great balance.The finish is vibrant with a length of savoury dried fruits.

Vintage: 2018 Region: Geelong Alcohol: 14.2% Bottle Type: Bordeaux (330mm) Color: The Reserve Shiraz has a fantastic dark inky color with vibrant purple hues. Aroma: The nose is ripe with black plum, black berry, cherry, blueberry, black currant and chocolate. Palate: Ripe with plum sauce, black berry. It is full bodied with great balance. Food Matching: Sichuan Food, Barbecue, Spaghetti, Cheese Gratin.

Planted in 2007, this 0.8-hectare vineyard is littered with volcanic rocks (hence the name) and lies on the plateau above the De La Terre slope—essentially making it a westerly extension of the Serré vineyard. It was originally planted with various clonal cuttings from Best’s and Tahbilk on a mix of rootstock and own roots. Holmes only uses the Best’s clone in this bottling today and the rest of the site has been grafted over to Chardonnay, giving Bannockburn a close-planted Chardonnay block, named Grigsby after Bannockburn’s long-standing vineyard manager. The fruit was fully destemmed in 2011, wild fermented with indigenous yeast and then spent 12 months in 1/3 new French puncheons and a second year in 5 year old barriques.