There. We said it. And if you read this blog, you know we mean it – Heathcote can produce Australia’s best Shiraz – right up there with the best of Barossa or McLaren Vale and sometimes better. With their unfathomable “t-rex on a tightrope” dialectic of power and finesse, peak Heathcote Shiraz offers something that simply cannot be found elsewhere.
There is no better way to discover this for yourself than to attend Heathcote’s annual wine show, our favourite on the AUS calendar. Here, the best of the best (this year spanning vintages from 2014 through 2021) are awarded the rare and coveted gold medals. Following are our gold medal standouts from the 2022 show held 30 July.
* Sanguine Estate rightly took home the show’s most prestigious award, the Heathcote Wine of Provenance trophy. Sanguine is the benchmark for Heathcote Shiraz, and when you consider their consistently superior quality, we suppose they could be considered Australia’s best value Shiraz house. At only $40, their Inception Shiraz rivals the best of Henschke or Penfolds. Their 2014 Inception (stature, dignity, power and grace in a bottle), which won best museum Shiraz, will well and truly prove the point if you can find one …
* Peregrine Ridge 2015 Shiraz – a stunning aged Shiraz that showcases what wonders the gentle hands of time can work on such a perfect wine. Layers and waves of gently rich flavours. 2015 was a winning year in Heathcote, and the intervening years have done this wine just right.
* Hanging Rock Winery took out the best young Shiraz with their 2019 Cambrian Rise Shiraz – Archetypical Heathcote on show in this one. Plenty of heft and ripe dark fruit flavours, complemented with light spice and hints of mocha, but floats across the palate delicately. Our notes from the night read “a wonder, a miracle – buy this wine!” At $35, it won’t set you back much.
* Condie Estate 2018 The Gwen Shiraz won best old Shiraz – We have loved this wine for a little while now. Focused on the finesse side of the spectrum, this is a deep, dark & delicious wine. Dark elegance, precisely delivered. Something a bit unique (and altogether wonderful) for Heathcote. (And in the same vain as that last sentence, be sure to check out their gold-winning Nero d’Avola!)
* Kings of Kangaroo Ground 2018 Avondale Shiraz – a lovely, robust, purely dark cherry Shiraz. Deep cherry cola with exceptional breadth and length. Cures a need you didn’t realise you had until this wine touches your lips!
* Heathcote Estate 2021 Nebbiolo – A very engaging, linear Nebbiolo, with electric red fruit flavours (think juicy cranberry, floral notes, and a hint of cinnamon) that sparkle gently on the palate. Quite juicy, not tart or overly acidic (as too many AUS Nebbs are) and altogether enjoyable.
* De Bortoli 2021 Novo Tinto Touriga Nacional – A really pleasing, sultry wine straight away. Broad but well integrated. Glows like a winter fireplace on the palate. A perfect winter drop and an excellent demonstration of what this rare Portuguese varietal can achieve.
Get out and explore Heathcote – so many wonderful wineries to be discovered.
Mind-blogging drops like those listed above are #Why We Love Wine
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