Though only in its second year, the 1314 Rosé is already a welcome mainstay of Bannockburn’s range. Unlike last year’s 100% Shiraz wine, 1314 Rosé is henceforth a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with Shiraz playing a supporting role. As Matt Holmes says, the Bannockburn estate is home to some “nice old Cabernet and Merlot vines”. He is putting them to good use.
The fruit is from the Winery Block, with vines planted in 1981, 1990 and 1996. The soils are clay over limestone, and the vineyard is farmed organically. The 2023 is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance an equal split between Merlot and Shiraz. Perfectly ripe fruit was pressed delicately on a white wine press cycle and—with freshness in mind—fermented cool and slow in stainless steel tanks. The wine then rested on lees in tank before being bottled in July.
Juicy, full and fleshy, the 1314 rosé delivers a lot of wine in the glass. It’s bursting with sweet summer berries and cassis, layered with subtle savoury tones and a lick of minerality on the finish. There’s plenty of weight and flavour here, this will hold its own paired with a variety of savoury dishes, including anything with spice.