The Australian Wine Annual 2007

Heartland Wines sources its fruit from mature vineyards at Langhorne Creek and the Limestone Coast. Made under the guidance of one of its partners, Ben Glaetzer, it releases an interesting eclectic series of wines deliberately made to be ready for early enjoyment, such as the innovative blends of Dolcetto Lagrein (delicious and savoury) and Viognier Pinot Gris (up-front and refreshing). Its premier wine is the Directors Cut Shiraz, which makes its debut in this addition.

Directors Cut Shiraz 2004 - 90 points

Sweet aromas of violets, cassis and dark plums are backed by dark chocolate and vanilla oak with leathery undertones of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and mint. Suptuous, smooth and polished, with bright jujube-like flavours of blackberries, dark plums, it reveals spicy, minty and meaty undertones. Its pleasingly core of fruit is framed by firm but pliant tannins with tightly intergrated nuances of dark chocolate and cedary oak. Very elegant, despite its profound richness and weight.