2006 St. Michaels Vineyard Limited Release Heathcote Shiraz

Winemaker Mick Cann has produced a spectacular Heathcote Shiraz – on par with the best of ‘Duck Muck’ and Tatiarra’s ‘Caravan of Dreams’ – this is a big, brilliantly balanced red with an alcohol content of 16%. Now, before everyone starts ranting and raving about the degree of alcohol, forget that it is disclosed, look at the wine in the glass, examining aroma and flavour. What the pro-low alcohol lobby fails to understand is the very unique terroir that Heathcote’s Cambrian earth delivers. Winemakers would die to produce such a concentrated red that still maintains textbook acidity and pH. Heathcote Shiraz picked with potential alcohol levels of 13 - 14.5% tastes green and without flavour. At around 15.5% the grapes are perfectly ripened and the flavour profile is a phenomena. Micks’ yield in 2006 was cut back to ½ tonne per acre of fruit from balanced vines. The wine was fermented dry on skins, basket pressed and then matured for 24 months in French and Russian Oak Hogsheads. The bad news is that only 90 cases were produced in total. Our allocation will evaporate quickly!

The colour is spectacular – a total saturate of black purple with adhesive like cling to the glass wall. Magnificent nose – a concentrate of lifted blackberry, vanilla and cedar with a hint of liquorice allsorts. Super powerful and concentrated explosive black pepper and blackberry palate. Layers of magnificently ripe and thoroughly balanced fruit. Fine tannins with exceptionally long black pepper, blackberry and spice aftertaste.
Cellar 5-8 years (2013-2016)
Alc/Vol: 16%