Owing to its intimate size, the rigorous nature of its judging and the exceptional quality of the wines on show, the Heathcote Wine Show is our favourite wine award night on the Australian calendar. It is an unparalleled experience – a Wine Hunter’s best dream made real. We were beyond thrilled to be able to attend again in person in 2021! (Just transcribing the wine notes below makes us so wish we were back there….)
Over 250 wines were entered into the show this year, and from those, some 19 were awarded gold medals. Think about that. The top 7.5% of the best wines (winemakers only enter those wines of which they are most proud) from Victoria’s greatest red wine region. Below were our favourites on the night. Do yourself a favour and try them all 🙂
* Buckshot Vineyard 2018 The Project Shiraz – Gold Medal – We absolutely loved this one. Beautifully posh. A glowing velvet orb of black raspberry goodness. Heathcote on show in this bottle. Power, power, power, but goes down like Persian silk.
* Burke & Wills Winery 2016 Planters Blend – Gold Medal and Best Other Red Wine – Although it carries the noble stature of a fine aged wine, power and vivaciousness are the first characters out of the gate! Savoury, rich and delicious. A powerful wine that cries out for food!
* Chalmers Wines 2021 Rosato – Silver Medal and Best Rosé – You don’t see a lot of Rosé in Heathcote, but isn’t this one rewarding! A gentle line of acid supports a fruit juicy, satisfying Rosé.
* Condie Estate 2019 The Gwen Shiraz – Gold Medal and Chair’s Award – We keep saying that Condie is the future of Heathcote, and we love the direction they’re taking our favourite region’s Shiraz. You simply have to try this wine.
* De Bortoli Wines 2020 Villages Tempranillo Touriga – Gold Medal and Best Spanish/Italian Red – A spicy affair (as you’d expect from its Mediterranean heritage) but also juicy and delicious. A stewy, savoury delight, and a superb wine. Built for a high end charcuterie board.
* Devil’s Cave Vineyard 2019 Shiraz – Gold Medal and Best Young Shiraz – A dark, vibrant Shiraz that offers everything in perfect harmony – juicy fruit, ample spice and engaging savoury notes.
* Flynns Wines 2015 MC Shiraz – Gold Medal and Best Museum Shiraz – Black as tar in appearance, this is a beautiful, plump, old Shiraz. Ample oak, tonnes of warm spices, dark raspberry and a hint of French vanilla.
* Idavue Estate 2018 Shiraz Cabernet – Gold Medal and Best Cabernet – A gloriously balanced wine. At last, at long last, Shiraz and Cab Sav singing in perfect harmony. The olive, herb and black currant of a Napa Cab Sav framed in warm Barossa Shiraz spice… Wait! Scratch Napa and Barossa. This is 100% Heathcote!
* Sanguine Estate 2019 Inception – Gold Medal – Sanguine is the benchmark for Heathcote Shiraz, and this one is a study in Syrah elegance. Smooth as butter with delicate Shiraz flavours.
Clearly, wines and such a magical wine experience as described above are #WhyWeLoveWine. Heathcote forever, please ….
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