2024 Bannockburn Grigsby Chardonnay

96 POINTS

Philip Rich - Halliday Wine Companion

From a 0.4ha close-planted vineyard. Barrel fermented and matured in 25% new hogsheads and with 100% mlf. A light, bright green gold. In contrast to the slightly richer and more open Winery Block chardonnay, this is more restrained with its aromas of pink grapefruit, just-ripened stone fruits, oyster shells and almond. The palate is equally restrained and there's a touch of orange pith on the gently spicy, long finale. Will be even better when it opens up over the next two to three years. Tops.

96 POINTS

James Suckling

A lovely mineral tension lies beneath layers of citrus confit, lanolin, white flowers, flint and orange peel. The palate has a fine line of acidity, with textural weight and a mineral undertone that cuts through the rounded mouthfeel. Made from a close-planted block of Bernard clone 76, 8,300 vines per hectare.

96 POINTS

Erin Larkin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 50th-anniversary vintage is named for Lucas Grigsby, Bannockburn's long-term viticulturist. The vineyard was planted in 2007 at a high density and is certified organic. Aromatically, the 2024 Grigsby Chardonnay leads with gently toasted nuts, white peach, lanolin, stewed apple and nectarine. In the mouth, the wine is rich and full, with a creamy middle palate and subtly texturing phenolics through the finish. This is both sophisticated and pleasurable—a winning combination. Saline acidity is woven throughout, lending balance to the fruit. This is an excellent wine. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

95 POINTS

Rosamund Hall - Decanter

Named in honour of Bannockburn’s long-serving viticulturist and groundsmen Lucas Grigsby, this block of close-planted Chardonnay is a beautifully textural wine with ripe golden pears, white jasmine blossom, crème bruûlée and flecks of madagascan vanilla. It’s fleshy and enveloping yet retains an energetic, mineral drive which just keeps giving long after your final sip.

95 POINTS

Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front

Grigsby Chardonnay is grown on the estate’s close-planted (8333 vines per hectare), certified organic vineyard. It’s named after Lucas Grimsby, who has worked in the vineyards at Bannockburn since 1987. Quite a lot of colour to this wine and powerful fruit up-front, though the finish is then as restrained as it is long. This is a honed wine if ever there was one. Nougat, grilled peach, steel, mineral, orange rind and lemongrass characters put on a powerful display, lemon blossom notes then rising through the finish. Despite its colour this is a wine with yet plenty up its sleeve. The length of the finish here though puts a significant positive emphasis on the quality on offer.