Bannockburn De La Roche Shiraz 2018

Bannockburn De La Roche Shiraz is a tiny-production single-vineyard Shiraz from Geelong’s Moorabool Valley.

Planting density is the story: 10,000 vines to the hectare, rows 1.2 metres apart with a metre between vines, running north-south across a stony plateau above the De La Terre slope. The original material came from Best’s and Tahbilk on a mix of rootstock and own roots; only the Best’s selection stays in this bottling now, the rest grafted to Chardonnay for the close-planted Grigsby block. Volcanic rock litters the surface, which is how the site earned its name. Fermentation ran wild with 10 per cent whole bunches and a carbonic element, then fifteen months in French oak hogsheads, barely five to ten per cent of them new.

Blue fruit and cracked pepper sit over a wiry, mineral frame, with more perfume than muscle. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and give it an hour open. Good with duck, grilled lamb or a plate of charcuterie.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.