This is the final update from the Victorian Winemakers Exhibition 2006. This master class looked at seven Shiraz based wines from the Heathcote region. The wines are listed below in order of preference.
Heathcote Estate Shiraz 2003 – Nose is fairly tight at this stage, but after some vigorous swirling I got some dark chocolate, spice, red berry fruit and plums. Full bodied, ripe and rich palate – yet also retains balance and good tannin structure. There is oak lingering in the background, but the fruit is easily up to the task of keeping it in check. It is a very good wine that should continue to improve over the next five to ten years. 91/100
Carlei “Green Vineyard” Shiraz 2003 – Floral notes on the nose as well as pepper and spice. The front of the palate has a bit of sweetness but this is replaced on the mid and back palate with a minerally character. 87/100
Sanguine Estate “Heathcote” Shiraz 2004 – A nose of blackberry, plums and a stalky element. Palate is rich and generous, but there is a spike of acid on the finish that disrupts the line and length. 86/100
Downing Estate Shiraz 2002 – Nose is plummy, meaty and peppery. Palate shows overt alcoholic heat and is difficult to drink. 84/100
Heathcote Winery “Curajee” Shiraz 2003 – Nose has a large amount of alcoholic heat, but looking past that, shows some liquorice and chocolate bullets characters as well as a fair bit of vanilla/coconut oak. There is more alcoholic heat on the palate that is difficult to get past. Not showing well on this occasion. 83/100
Shelmerdine “Heathcote” Shiraz 2004 – Some cardboard like aromas to the nose (but sealed under screwcap!), as well as bitter chocolate and raspberry. Palate tastes flat and finishes short and slightly bitter on the back of the palate. Probably an off bottle as the bottle I tried on general tasting was much better. 82/100
Mitchelton Wines “Heathcote” Shiraz 2003 – Bitter chocolate and raspberry on the nose. Palate is syrupy and tastes like raspberry cordial. 82/100
The Heathcote Estate was the clear leader among this pack. Apart from the Heathcote Estate, I didn’t see anything at this master class that would change the views of anyone who doesn’t think much of the region. I personally think it has potential as a region for Shiraz and I hope to see some better wines from there (like the excellent Shelmerdine “Merindoc” written about in a previous update) in the near future.