2015 Heartland Shiraz

Heartland

Australia / Langhorne Creek / Heartland

2015 VINTAGE
Good winter rainfall offered cover crops for a moisture-retaining mulch throughout the dry spring and summer. The lack of rainfall over the growing period led to lower yields. Summer saw mostly cool temperatures and an early vintage with most of the region’s fruit off by early April. The Langhorne Creek wine region benefits from cooling afternoon breezes from Lake Alexandrina and this season was no exception. The welcome breezes helped keep overnight temperatures down, enabling fruit to maintain natural acidity.
VINIFICATION
The fruit was de-stemmed, crushed and pumped over twice a day for nine days to enhance colour and flavour. Fermentation with our Rhône isolate yeast was at 18°-24°C. Extended maceration resulted in savoury, supple tannins and an approachable palate. The wine matured for 14 months in oak prior to bottling.
TASTING
The dark colour preempts a wine of dense, layered black fruit. The aromas of anise and cracked pepper are enveloped in classic blackberry. The glass coating texture gives way to freshness on the finish resulting in a fine balance. The structure imparted by oak and skin contact integrates well with the bright, but intense fruit.

Age of vines: 18-20 years
Alcohol: 14.5%
Maturation vessel: 100% oak
Oak type: French and selected American barrels in combination
Time in barrel: 14 months
Age of barrels: New to 4-year-old hogsheads (300-litre)
Suitable for vegans: Yes

August, 2019

James Halliday

Halliday Wine Companion 2020

92 points

This has the fruit/oak/tannin balance that the Directors' Cut doesn't have. It has similar excellent colour, and is as fresh as a daisy, the red and black cherry fruits speaking of the place first, the variety second.

May, 2019

Campbell Mattinson

The Wine Front

91 points

Langhorne Creek shiraz, always made in hearty style. True to form and to style. Quite a bit of slippery vanillin oak here but it’s attached to ripe plum/tar flavours and a good deal of them. Choc-cream and dark berried fruits. Old school in a good way, and at a (very) good price. Have to enjoy a good clip of oak to really dig this.

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About Heartland

The cool climate of Langhorne Creek typifies Australia at its finest. Heartland grows and selects grapes with the most flavour per acre through careful vineyard management and years of collective expertise. The brilliant Ben Glaetzer gives focus and expression to these flavours in the winery. This results in wines of intensity, texture and balance. The Spice Trader blend and varietal reds offer delightful drinking and attractive, pure expressions of their cool-climate origins. The unique blend of Dolcetto & Lagrein captures the imagination with its freshness and intense cherry fruit. The new Director’s Cut Cabernet Sauvignon is rich and harmonious, like its multiple award-winning Shiraz counterpart. Heartland One is a sublime blend of intense Cabernet Sauvignon and lush Shiraz, creating the ultimate expression of Langhorne Creek.

About

Ben Glaetzer has been making wines for over 20 years and his family history is intertwined with Australian wine making, and the Barossa Valley in particular. Indeed it was through the family connection of his uncle Johnny that Ben was introduced to the cool climate growing region of Langhorne Creek. This association has allowed Ben to explore completely new aspects of his winemaking abilities and create subtle, balanced reds with a true lightness of touch. Heartland sources all its grapes from Langhorne Creek, both from its own vines and those of old friends. The multiple awards and critical acclaim Heartland wines have attracted has been a bonus. The true pleasure is being part of one of Australia’s oldest and greatest regions and helping to showcase its great gifts to Australia and the world.