The Auswine Forum

Afternoon guys

Anyone on here that knows a lot about Heathcote wines and wineries?
My experience with Heathcote wines is reasonably small, but I have found that I enjoy them probably more than any other wines I have tasted.
I've had a few Hanging Rock and quite a few Wild Duck Creek Springflat's, but that's about it.

I have a few years of the Wild Duck Creek Springflat still in the cellar. Also a couple of Jasper Hill.

I'm looking to purchase a few more wines produced in the Heathcote region, and I would love some advice from you all.
Which years are their standout vintages. 2005 is by far my favourite. Recently, I have heard that the 2013 is going to be very good as well in time.
Tatiarra are getting some nice reviews so will look at those. Any advice on which wines I should look towards would be appreciated as well

Look forward to hearing back from you

Hi RW&R

I don't know a lot of other Heathcote producers to be honest, though Heathcote Estate do some good wine.

Anything in particular about the style you like?

Cheers

Michael

Graillot Syrah No 1 and No 2 are worth considering.

Chapoutier top wines are very good. Jasper Hill of course. There are countless small wineries and also lots of wineries from areas like Vic Dress Circle, Hunter Valley, etc., that source grapes from there. The best thing would be to visit the Heathcote wine festival when it's on as most producers are lined up in tents in a big circle and you can taste most of their wines in one or two days. Lots of food there, too. One of the best wine events in the country IMO.

I can't claim to be an expert but I do know a little bit about the Heathcote region. Two of my favorites that haven't been mentioned so far are McIvor Estate (not to be confused with McIvor Creek) and Flynns who produce fairly different styles. McIvor is right at the south of the region which is a bit cooler and they produce a more structured style of shiraz where as Flynns are a bit more fruit driven. One of the most enjoyable wines I've had in the past couple of years was an 04 Nebbiolo from McIvor.
Personally I own a fair amount of Hanging Rock Heathcote shiraz which is generally a pretty big rich style, and I have some Heathcote Winery Mail Coach shiraz which I rather like - it has just enough viogner in it to give it a bit of lift, without it being recognizable (I'm generally not a fan of shiraz/vigoner)
A couple of others wines I've enjoyed at tastings Sanguine and Shelmerdine.

There are some amazing wines coming out of Heathcote...

Obviously, as already mentions, Jasper Hill is a stand out however there are alot of others...

One not mentioned... Shelmerdine do a really great single vineyard shiraz!

Also it is home to my current 'best buy' wine... Seppelt Mt Ida vineyard backs onto Georgia's Paddock... It is an amazing single vineyard shiraz, 2012 vintage at the moment and can be had for under 25 if you look hard enough!!!

Thanks for the replies guys. Gives me lots of food for thought.
I'm enjoy the fruit driven wines more than I do the structure. So will looks for wines that show these sorts of characteristics.

Wines I'll look into:
Heathcote Estate Single Vinyard Shiraz
Heathcote Winery Mail Coach Shiraz, The Origin Shiraz, The Wilkins Shiraz
Graillot Syrah No1, and No 2
Shelmerdine Heathcote Merindoc Single Vineyard Shiraz
Seppelt Mt Ida Shiraz
Chapoutier and Laughton La Pleiade Shiraz (how does one go about purchasing this. Very hard to find).
Flynns James Flynn Shiraz (can only get through wine club membership so might be hard also).

That leaves me with plenty to go on with
Cheers everyone for all the advice.

In the meantime drinking a 2003 Jasper Hill Emily's Paddock Shiraz Cab Franc tonight. Fingers crossed its a good one.