2004 Paul Osicka Heathcote Shiraz

The Osicka Vineyard is located 24 k east of Heathcote and is considered to be on the extreme eastern boundary of the Heathcote geographical area. The vineyards of Nagambie and Mitchelton are some twenty kilometres away, so to find Osicka is to go off the beaten track. The relatively cooler microclimate is evidenced by budburst being some 2-3 weeks behind Nagambie. The Osicka’s established the vineyard in 1955 and operate on organic farming principles, using dry farming techniques. The Shiraz is grown on sandy loam over quartz and red ironstone buckshot gravels, which create excellent drainage conditions. With the vineyard being planted in close proximity of the Greytown Box Iron Bark forest, it's common to see a range of nature animals wandering around the vines.

"...PEPPERY HEATHCOTE SHIRAZ, LOADED WITH FLAVOUR".

A magnificent Osicka Shiraz which has indeed come of age, showing none of that old fashioned Central Victorian farmyard character that previous vintages have shown. This is a considerable peppery Heathcote Shiraz, loaded with flavour. Opaque black purple colour with deep purple hue.  Aroma of blackberry, liquorice and mocha followed by spice and black pepper, showing distinct varietal character.  The palate has plenty of weight with unmistakable Heathcote Shiraz character.  Generous layers of spice, blackberry, vanilla and mocha are overlaid by a strong white and black pepper background.  Fine grained tannins, with perfect balance.  Very long aftertaste of spice, blackberry and black pepper.
Cellar 5-8 years (2011-2014)
Alc/Vol: 14.5%