Heathcote Estate are on a bit of a run going back to the 2009 F Block Shiraz. These are structured wines of substance and built for the cellar. You’d want to give them a serious decant before attacking them in their youth.
I suspect a part of the success of this wine lies in the conditions over the three previous years. It was hot and dry between 2007 and 2009. In 2010 the weather took a favourable turn and the rain in 2011 can’t have hurt the vines. Depth of black fruited flavour, a chassis of savoury high-grade oak, commanding tannic form. Full-bodied but not thick or soupy. Flows well, has some energy. A minor level of warmth but nothing distracting to my tastes. The finish is long and flinty. 94+
Region: Heathcote
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $45
Tasted: May 2014
Jeremy,
Thanks as always.
Funny thing red wine…..tried a Michel Chapoutier La Pleaide 2010 stated alc. 15% ……wow what a wine ! no warmth, no heat , no detectable alc. just gorgeous black fruit, earth , great balance etc.
Tried same year Heathcote Shiraz 14.5 %…..gave it 7 hour decant to flash off some of the alc. with limited success.
Sure they’re at different price points but if Heathcote wine makers could get closer to 14 % even I’m sure punters like myself would be screaming for more.
I know I’m not alone in this thought and for a $40 plus I don’t think a little more balance is too much to ask.
It would seem from your comments re:” warmth” i’ll be keeping my hands in my pockets.
Many thanks for the opportunity to vent.
Colin
Colin – Always happy to hear readers thoughts. I found the warmth here very minor and the wine very much in balance – thus the rest of the note and the high score – but our thresholds are all different. I really would seek out The Journey Heathcote Shiraz 2012 based on your comments. It’s also a very good wine and likely to be exactly what you’re after.