Tasting Note:
The nose starts with typical Felton Road cues: dark roses and violets, ethereal, dancing and transparent. On the palate the first note is savoury: lovely fruits are there, but not even a ghost of New World sweetness. The tannins are firm enough to denote seriousness, but without harshness. Attractive and subtle herbal tones also play a part adding freshness and intrigue. A classic rendition from our four Bannockburn vineyards.
Reviews:
95 points, James Suckling
Perfumed aromas of wild strawberries, red raspberries, blood oranges and dried herbs. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and precise acidity, giving notes of blackberries, potpourri, wet bark, dark cherries and graphite. Finely balanced and refined. Made from a blend of all four estate vineyards. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
94 points, Dr. Jamie Goode,
WineAnorak Wonderfully chiselled aromatics with sweet red cherries and plums, and a nice spicy, almost peppery twist. The palate has a rich, sweet core with bold, almost meaty cherry and raspberry fruit and some soft wild strawberry richness. It’s very seductive and more-ish, showing massive drinkability. Finishes with a spicy twist.
93 points, Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate
The 2023 Bannockburn Pinot Noir is vibrant and spicy, with real energy and pace on the palate. Cherry, cranberry, pomegranate and raspberry converge on a springy base of pliable tannin. The acidity, which is bright, is woven through all aspects of the fruit, and the wine feels exciting and fresh as a result. This is a great wine here. It has full flavor and resolved texture at a moderate alcohol level. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
91 points, Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous
The 2023 Pinot Noir Bannockburn is highly fragrant, exuding florals, raspberries and blackberries. There's a savoury, smoky essence which combines with the primary red fruit and rich plum fruit to make a slightly wild finish aromatically. There's plenty of concentration on the palate and layered fruit substance, with more tannic grip than you'd anticipate. You'd normally say drink now for Bannockburn, but I'd allow this a little longer to come around.