Heartland Shiraz 2022 750ml

“Generous Langhorne Creek Shiraz with blackberry, plum, liquorice and peppery spice.”

Heartland Shiraz 2022 is classic Langhorne Creek Shiraz, generous dark fruit, plenty of flavour and enough freshness to keep all that richness nicely under control.

Blackberry, blueberry and plum lead the way, with liquorice, sweet spice and black pepper adding savoury complexity. The palate sits between medium and full bodied, with ripe dark fruit, soft tannins and a long, spicy finish. Heartland describes the 2022 as a strong vintage with excellent flavour and acidity, helped by the cooling influence of Lake Alexandrina.

It is the sort of Shiraz that works when you want something rich and satisfying without turning the evening into a wrestling match with a 16% monster. Plenty of flavour, plenty of structure and very little hard work required.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh blackberry, blueberry and plum with liquorice and sweet spice.

Palate: Medium to full bodied with generous dark berries and plum, supported by soft tannins and a subtle savoury character.

Finish: Long and persistent with lingering dark fruit, sweet spice and a touch of black pepper.

Serving Suggestions

Excellent with grilled steak, roast lamb, beef brisket, sausages and slow cooked beef.

It also works beautifully with hearty pasta dishes, mushrooms and aged cheddar. Give it a little time in the glass and serve around 16°C to 18°C rather than overly warm.

About The Winery

Heartland Wines was established in 2001 by a group of experienced Australian wine people including winemaker Ben Glaetzer. The focus is firmly on Langhorne Creek, a South Australian region particularly well suited to producing generous reds while retaining excellent natural freshness.

Shiraz is right at home here. The region delivers the dark fruit you expect from South Australian Shiraz, while the cooling influence from nearby Lake Alexandrina helps preserve acidity and balance.

The result is a wine with plenty of muscle, but one that has remembered it is supposed to be enjoyable rather than an endurance event.

Cellaring Potential

The 2022 is already approachable, with soft tannins and plenty of ripe dark fruit.

Heartland suggests it can be enjoyed now or cellared for up to 10 years, allowing the blackberry and plum characters to develop more savoury, earthy and spicy complexity.

Collector’s Note

The 2022 vintage specifically has received strong reviews:

93 Points: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
92 Points: Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot

Sam Kim highlighted its plum, ripe cherry and olive characters, while Ray Jordan noted the dark plum, blackberry, pepper and dried herb character typical of Langhorne Creek.

Details

Producer: Heartland Wines
Vintage: 2022
Variety: Shiraz
Region: Langhorne Creek, South Australia
Bottle Size: 750ml
Wine Style: Classic South Australian Shiraz
Wine Sweetness: Dry
Wine Body: Medium to Full Bodied
ABV: 14.5%
Closure: Screw Cap
Critic Scores: 93 Points Sam Kim, 92 Points Ray Jordan
Key Flavours: Blackberry, Blueberry, Plum, Liquorice, Sweet Spice, Black Pepper