Region: Australia, Langhorne Creek

Grape variety: Shiraz

Background: A collaboration of industry veterans Ben Glaetzer, Scott Collet, Grant Tilbrook and Nick Keukenmeester who have developed Heartland into an award-winning winery, since producing the first vintage in 2001. They embrace the best Australian fruits and create wines of balance and texture with a uniquely Australian identity.

Tasting notes: The deep colour gives a clue to the concentration of aromas and flavours to follow. Dark cherry and blackberry fruit dominate the nose with undercurrents of black liquorice and pepper. The palate brings to mind a berry compote enriched by elusive hints of spice. Directors’ Cut Shiraz is famous for its poise and balance and this vintage is no exception.

Reviews

Rating 94 James Halliday Wine Companion, July 26, 2014: "Thick oak and thick dark fruit. Shoot first, ask questions later. Coconut, chocolate, mint and toast notes are slathered on saturated blackberry and plum. Tannin is not impeccable but it roars through the wine with impressive force. Big-boned, big-bodied wine."

Rating 4.5/5 Tony Love's TOP 100 Wines, The Advertiser Special Edition, July 19, 2014: "From older vineyards in a crackingly good regional vintage, this shows a bit of oak, but it's very good French wood, adding pepper, anise and nutmeg-like spices to accentuate the shiraz aromatics with earthy and mineral layers also in play. Flavour, flavour, flavour - delicious, intense and sophisticated."

VEGAN