Heartland Directors' Cut Shiraz 2020

"Excellent hue and depth, an early harbinger of a very good vintage, the bouquet and palate living up to the promise. It is a broad-shouldered, luscious and rich wine, borrowing some dark chocolate from McLaren Vale, adding licorice and plum fruit flavours." - 95 points - James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion 2023

"Grapes for Heartland Directors’ Cut Shiraz are selected from some of the best Shiraz vineyards in the region. These vineyards are chosen for the consistent intensity and texture of the fruit. The strictest pruning techniques are used. The fruit for Directors’ Cut Shiraz was harvested at night and then crushed to small, open-top stainless-steel fermenters. After 24 hours of skin contact, fermentation kicked off with our Rhône isolate yeast. Following 10 days of cool fermentation on skins with pumpovers three times daily, the wine was transferred to French and American oak hogsheads for 12-14 months’ maturation. In 2019 we limited ourselves to 40% new oak to ensure the fruit remained the focus.
In appearance, an opaque mulberry core softens to a thin crimson rim. The nose is blackberry jam with complementary aromas reminiscent of a Turkish spice bazaar. The palate offers purple fruit with hints of rosewater and rich aniseed. The finish is long and refreshing." – Ben Glaetzer, Heartland