We’re unabashed Heathcote wine lovers, and the Heathcote Wine Show is our favourite annual industry event! 2023 was no exception! Medal-winning wines clearly showcased why Heathcote Shiraz holds such a special place in the Shiraz pantheon. But this year, for the first time ever, we also discovered two Heathcote Grenaches we absolutely loved (yes, you read that correctly, Grenache!) – that totally caught us off guard! Stunning, powerful Grenaches that should put Barossa on notice … first Heathcote became a contender for the Shiraz title. Now it has Barossa Grenache in the crosshairs.
Here we the wines we couldn’t get enough of at this year’s show.
Our favourite wine of the night: Rogues Lane Vineyard 2017 Shiraz. Even after nearly a decade of scouring Australia for inspiring wine, this wine awakened our deepest, most primal energies – filled us with wonder and wine lust. Stinging blackberry and nettles push their way across the palate in a broad and mighty fashion (can this wine really be six years old?) Such exquisite texture to the wine – like a tapestry of stars in the pre-dawn night. But for all its power and intensity, the wine never loses balance, absolutely nailing the Heathcote hallmarks of grace and poise. If you want to become obsessed with wine, this opus should do the trick.
Our second favourite wine of the night: St. Anne’s Winery – Myrniong 2022 Heathcote Grenache – a bullet train intensely delivers red fruit/raspberry-register flavours. Linear, powerful, super smooth, intense, and ultimately satisfying. Can this be Grenache? Can this be Heathcote? Awesome to see such a wine from such a place– well done St Anne’s. You’ve given us a reason to hope in this varietal’s potential in Heathcote.
Devil’s Cave Vineyard 2022 Shiraz – a beautiful, quintessential Heathcote Shiraz. Slick red fruit, power and grace. Devil’s Cave has been on a real run these last few years with it’s Shiraz… Sanguine better hold onto that trophy tightly 
Tellurian Wines Heathcote 2021 Tranter Shiraz – The Tranter is often our fav Shiraz in the Tellurian lineup (when it’s not the Pastiche) and boy does this one shine, earning a unique and important spot in Heathcote Shiraz and showcasing Tellurian’s unique lighter style. A darker fruit flavoured wine but it stays close enough to the surface that light always shines through. Medium-bodied, hyper smooth yum – a ballerina of a wine.
Hanging Rock Winery 2021 Shiraz Touriga – Nice to see Touriga in the Heathcote mix, and the gambit pays off! Just a little exotic and titillating with that Portugese zest. Dark, spicy and delicious.
Ellis Wines 2020 Premium Shiraz – Our second favourite Shiraz of the night and a very Ellis masterpiece. A gorgeous, beautiful & deep Shiraz w notes of boysenberry compote. Full bodied, dark & intense, but graceful and smooth throughout the palate journey. Just exceptional!
Sanguine Estate Wines 2020 Inception Shiraz – Our dream of Shiraz. Texture, intensity, balance & finesse. Year in and year out Sanguine produces the stunners and this is no exception – a clear demonstration of why Sanguine remains the benchmark for Heathcote Shiraz (and they won the big award once again that basically implies the same!)
Farmer & the Scientist 2022 Tempranillo – Wow! One of the best AUS Temps we’ve ever had!! A beautiful ode to Rioja, powerful and rich. Very well done.
Tellurian 2021 Grenache – WOW, again – two great Heathcote Grenaches! – Heathcote has finally produced a(nother) great Grenache. Somehow light, bright, powerful & beautiful all at the same time.
Burke & Wills 2021 Dig Tree Shiraz – Broad and assertive with striking Cab Sauv vairetal notes. This powerful wine will get better and better over the next few years. Considering its modest price, perhaps one of Heathcote’s best values.
Incredible nights like these and regions like Heathcote are #WhyWeLoveWine
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