- Wednesday 4 October 2017
- Written by Wine Hunter
With the Heathcote Wine and Food Festival for 2017 just days away, here's a look at some of the exceptional wines of the region at amazing prices recently acclaimed by WineHunters.
They call them gems, we say gems fitting beautifully in the Heathcote region being praised as the new jewel in Victoria's wine crown.
WineHunters say: We are so pleased to share six Heathcote gems, all exceptionally priced. Any of these will set you right!
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* Burke & Wills Winery Mr. Burke's Favourite Big Red 2015 Shiraz - At $22, we challenge you to find better. Deep blackberry, bucket loads of primary fruit, and just a little earthiness all well tied together in this gem. A sledgehammer of a Shiraz. Not complex but does not need to be. For this style of wine, this is a pinnacle.
* Sanguine Estate Wines 2016 Progeny Shiraz - Perhaps the other end of the spectrum from the Mr. Burke's we so loved, This is a very elegant Shiraz. The Barossa-power is there in the background, but subdued by a classy Yarraesque refinement. The Progeny Shiraz captures the potential that makes Heathcote so special. This wine punches far, far above its $25 price.
* Flynns Wines Heathcote 2016 Heathcote Vermentino - We were SO excited when we tried this wine at Heathcote Wine Hub. A completely mouth-filling, slightly sweet and altogether delicious wine. Mysterious hints of citrus and savoury shimmer around the edges of this wine's freight train body. Yum! $30
* Maison M.Chapoutier Tournon 2015 Pyrenees Grenache - Not actually from Heathcote fruit, but Chapoutier's "cellar door" is here. A classic middle-of-the-road (in a good way) Grenache. Light spices, well-structured, fine tannins, plenty of raspberry, and plenty of yum for $30.
* Downing Estate 2011 Cabernet/Shiraz - This is a complex wine. Blueberry, bramble, bitters, a little fig - all woven together in dark mystery. Will please any serious red seeker now, but will be epic in three years. $32
* Merindoc Cellar Door Willoughby Road 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon - The tight nose on this wine is deceiving. The flavour profile is well rounded and full of boozy raspberries. A serious, yet easy drinking delight. $33.
In closing, yes we recognise that two of these are Shirazes, and a third is a Shiraz/Cab, but we are telling you, Heathcote is producing some of the finest Shirazes to be found in Australia. Do yourself a favour, and try one of these today.