2024 Bannockburn Olive Tree Hill Pinot Noir

96 POINTS

Philip Rich - Halliday Wine Companion

Made from own-rooted MV6 pinot noir planted in '76 and therefore the oldest pinot vines on the property. This is a superb wine with which to celebrate Bannockburn's 50th anniversary vintage. A bright ruby hue. With its core of mainly red fruits, rose petal and subtle spice scents, there is a palpable energy that's hard to resist. There's also an old-vine creaminess, together with the silkiest of tannins, making this a joy to drink even now. Having said that, this will still be looking good a decade from now.

95 POINTS

Erin Larkin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2024 Olive Tree Hill Pinot Noir is made from the oldest Pinot Noir vines on the estate: own-rooted MV6 clone planted in 1976. This is fine and lacy in context with the other Bannockburn Pinots from the 2024 release, and it shows tapenade, freshly grated nutmeg, clove, rose petals, cocoa and new leather. It's so pretty! There remains a meaty character woven through the back of the wine, but it is a subtle element that emphasizes some of the prettier aspects of the experience. This is lovely. It is still brambly and exotic but restrained and focused, too. This is very good. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

95 POINTS

Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front

It’s grown on vines planted in 1976, which means that it’s grown on Bannockburn’s oldest vines. 1976 is effectively ancient in Australian pinot noir terms. There’s polish to this wine, and a meatiness, and savoury inputs aplenty, and a long confident push through the finish. It’s Bannockburn pinot noir to a tee. Red cherry, tonic water, rhubarb, undergrowth and woodsmoke characters run into rust, steel, earth and cedar. There’s a umami aspect to this wine; indeed it runs right through it. Courtesy of this wine’s balance – and long, even flow through the finish – you could easily drink this now. But it will be a more complex delight with some years under its belt.