Heartland Directors’ Cut Shiraz, Langhorne Creek, 2018

Description

Background

Heartland Wines came out of a lunch in 1999 between Ben Glaetzer and three friends, and a fear that rather than expressing the diversity of sites and rich history of the country. Australian wines were heading in a generic, commercial direction. Ben had grown excited at older, high-quality vineyards he had seen in the cool-climate Langhorne Creek area, Australia’s oldest settled wine region, one hour south of Adelaide and southeast of McLaren Vale.

The best Langhorne Creek vineyards benefit from very cool nights that offset warm days, with temperature swings that can reach nearly 40 degrees within a day. Heartland Wines display the originality and appeal of the area’s regional and varietal characteristics – they are food-friendly. balanced wines offering tremendous value.

Vinification

The fruit for Directors’ Cut Shiraz was harvested at night and then crushed to small open-top stainless-steel fermenting. After 24 hours of skin contact fermentation was commenced with our Rhone isolate yeast. Following 10 days of cool fermentation on skins and pumped over 3 times daily, the wine was transferred to French and American oak hogsheads for 14 months maturation

Tasting Notes

The dark purple colour indicates intensity that awaits in your glass. The nose is inundated with berry compote and a decorative topping of fresh berries. Accented by whispers of spice. The palate offers juicy plums and chocolate-dipped dried fruits. There are hints of oregano and thyme to be sorted out. The finish is long and the freshness unmistakable.