Bannockburn Chardonnay 2025

Product Description:
Estate-grown depth, cool-climate precision and mature-vine complexity define the Bannockburn Chardonnay 2025, a distinguished expression from one of Geelong’s most established producers. The wine is composed entirely of Chardonnay grown across Bannockburn’s estate vineyards, with plantings ranging from the historic Olive Tree Hill vineyard established in 1976 to the Kelly Lane vineyard planted in 2016. Fruit is drawn from Olive Tree Hill, Winery Block, Stuart Block, Grigsby and Kelly Lane, bringing together a diverse range of vineyard ages, vine spacings and planting densities. The clonal composition includes P58 and Bernard clones 76, 95 and 96, contributing layers of fruit character, structure and aromatic detail.

Each parcel was handpicked and whole-bunch pressed before being settled overnight and transferred to barrel for spontaneous fermentation with wild yeast. Fermentation took place in a combination of French oak hogsheads and puncheons, with approximately 25% new oak adding measured complexity without overwhelming the fruit. Malolactic fermentation occurred in 70% of the final blend, introducing gentle creaminess while preserving the wine’s freshness and natural acidity. The Chardonnay was matured on its lees without stirring for 10 months before blending and bottling. The 2025 season marked Bannockburn’s earliest harvest on record and followed an exceptionally warm and dry growing period punctuated by several well-timed rainfall events. Clean fruit, balanced yields and precise picking decisions produced a wine of concentration, clarity and energetic structure. White peach, nectarine and citrus flavours are layered with savoury notes of cedar, nougat, cashew and oatmeal, creating a Chardonnay that is both generous and finely composed. Its concentration, bright acidity and persistent saline finish suggest excellent potential for graceful development in bottle.

Tasting Notes
NOSE
– Layered and expressive
Cedar, dried hay, white peach, nectarine and pithy citrus, followed by subtle nougat, cashew, oatmeal and pie-crust notes.

PALATE
– Fresh and concentrated
White peach, citrus and lemon curd are carried by fine acidity, gentle creaminess and a composed, textural mid-palate.

FINISH
– Long and saline
Persistent stone fruit and citrus flavours conclude with savoury mineral detail and a refined saline edge.

Reviews & Accolades
“There are yellow stone fruits characters here, and an array of sweet spice notes, but it’s the flesh, the rush and the juice of grapefruit and ripe pear flavours that both dominate and seduce. This wine really does make you dive quickly in for more. There’s a subtle smokiness, some tonic and mineral-like notes, and an especially noticeable (extra) linger to the finish. This is one of those wines where the acidity itself feels flushed with flavour. The aftertaste then adds some pebble-stone characters, just because it can. What a wine.” — Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 96 Points

Finer Details:
Style – White Wine
Varietal – Chardonnay
Country – Australia
Region – Victoria, Geelong
Vintage – 2025
Bottle Size – 750ml
ABV – 13.5%