2010 Heartland Shiraz

For those who don't want to spend a fortune on good wine, Heartland consistently deliver incredibly rich, flavour filled reds at prices that keep you coming back.
The decline of bygone aussie classics like Koonunga Hill and the Leasingham Bin Series left a hole in the Australian middle tier. Ben Glaetzer wasn't alone when he became disillusioned by the amalgamation of wine companies in Australia which he felt had begun to produce generic wines of little character. It was precursor to a time when Australia was starting to flood export markets on an industrial scale with the likes of 'Yellowtail', landing around $5 per bottle. His concerns were timely. By 2007, one U.S. importer, John Larchet, bemoaned, "Two-thirds of the Australian wine that comes to the US is labeled under the broadest geographic designation allowed, Southeastern Australia. In terms of regional specificity, that's similar to saying that an American wine is made from grapes grown, say, 'somewhere west of the Mississippi.' Larchet, like Glaetzer was afraid that the sheer volume and 'sameness' of these wines was a deterrent to consumers exploring other Australian wines. “They’re less vibrant, less representative of what Australia can offer." said Glaetzer. U.S. retailers were echoing similar concerns noticing that while some punters "...just stay put, buying Yellowtail again and again, others do graduate to more serious wines, but when they do so, they seek wines from other countries - not Australia". Glaetzer knew he could do better. In 2002 the Heartland team formed. There's nothing like vested interest to ward off mediocrity, and with the likes of Scott Collett of Woodstock and Geoff Hardy of Pertaringa on board (amongst other wine industry identities), they each became personally involved in providing an affordable alternative for consumers. The group undertook all aspects of the business - from growing the grapes and winemaking to marketing and selling the wines. It's an approach that maintains quality control from start to finish, and with the owners contributing to each step of the process, the pressure's on to get things right, year in year out. The caliber of 2010 was such that the wines almost made themselves. It's also a vintage where Cabernet Sauvignon stands out from the South Australian pack, just as much as the Shiraz. As beacons of value for disillusioned consumers, these amazing efforts should remind those companies who choose to ignore 'Brand Australia' that they risk more than their own demise. Kudos to Ben Glaetzer and his colleagues for lighting the way! Lesser known Langhorne Creek, lying south of McLaren Vale, is one of Australia's oldest wine growing regions where historical estates like Bleasdale and Stonyfell (Metala) are being joined by a modern day revolution with the likes of Noon, Brothers in Arms and Heartland.
HEARTLAND NOW CEMENT THEIR PLACE AS THE NEW 'EVERYMAN'S' BENCHMARK FOR FOOD FRIENDLY, ACCESSIBLE REDS WITH CELLARING UPSIDE TO BOOT.
Tasting note...
Produced from a warmer than average season that climaxed in perfect ripening conditions, this wine was matured for 14 months in new & old oak and bottled early to maintain Heartland's typically fresh, lifted fruit character. Opaque black dark crimson red hue with dark crimson red hue. The nose presents aromas of dark ripe plum and blackberry followed by liquorice, vanillin confectionary and a touch of spice. Full bodied the palate is filled with ripe succulent fruit. Rich mouthfilling flavours of ripe blackberry, dark plum and liquorice are followed by a spicy back palate showing excellent length. Very fine grained velvet like tannins give the wine a fleshy mouthfeel. Long ripe blackberry, dark plum, liquorice and spicy peppery aftertaste.
Cellar 4-5 years (2016-2017)
Alc 14.8%