Whistling Eagle Eagles Blood Shiraz 2021 750ml

“Powerful 96 point Heathcote Shiraz with blackberry, liquorice, dark plum, spice and velvety tannins.”

Whistling Eagle Eagles Blood Shiraz 2021 is serious Heathcote Shiraz with all the depth, richness and dark fruit you would expect from one of the region’s standout sites.

Blackberry, liquorice and dark plum lead the way, followed by black cherry, dark chocolate, fennel, pepper and a little earthy spice. The palate is full bodied and concentrated, but the tannins are polished and beautifully integrated, giving the wine structure without making it hard or aggressive.

This is the flagship Shiraz from one of Heathcote’s most respected small producers, grown on ancient Cambrian soils and backed by a 96 point Halliday Wine Companion rating. It is rich enough to impress now, but has the structure and pedigree to reward proper cellaring as well.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Blackberry, liquorice, black cherry, dark chocolate, fennel and pepper.

Palate: Full bodied and concentrated with dark plum, blackberry, liquorice, savoury spice and velvety tannins.

Finish: Long, powerful and balanced with lingering dark fruit, pepper, cedar and earthy Heathcote character.

Halliday Wine Companion - 96 Points

An exceptional vintage shows Heathcote shiraz at its best. As ever, Eagles Blood delivers a wine with a strong sense of place, of Aussie bush scents, acacia, briar, bracken and mineral red earthiness against a core of sturdy, ripe black fruits, chocolate and spice. In the fuller-bodied style, but it carries it well with tannins laid out evenly. There is the kind of balance in place that encourages drinking now – which I would do – but with the potential for further ageing – which I would also do. Jeni Port

About The Winery

Whistling Eagle is a small family run vineyard and winery in the northern part of the Heathcote region, above the township of Colbinabbin. Ian and Lynn Rathjen have built the estate around a strong connection to the region’s ancient Cambrian soils, with the aim of producing wines that show depth, balance and a clear sense of place.

The first limited Shiraz release appeared in 1997, and Eagles Blood has since become the estate’s flagship wine. The 2021 was matured for 18 months in French oak, with 25% new oak, allowing the wine to build richness and structure without losing its fruit.

It is a big wine, but not a clumsy one. There is plenty of power here, but the balance and polish are what really make it stand out.

Cellaring Potential

The 2021 is already approachable with some air, but it has excellent ageing potential thanks to its concentration, tannin structure and balance.

Recommended drinking window: 2026 to 2039.

Collector’s Note

The 2021 Whistling Eagle Eagles Blood Shiraz received 96 points from Jeni Port for Halliday Wine Companion. It was praised for its strong sense of place, dark fruit, chocolate, spice and balanced structure.

For collectors of premium Heathcote Shiraz, this is one of the more distinctive small production wines from the region and a strong candidate for medium to long term cellaring.

Details

Producer: Whistling Eagle Vineyard
Vintage: 2021
Variety: Shiraz
Region: Heathcote, Victoria
Bottle Size: 750ml
Wine Style: Premium Heathcote Shiraz
Wine Sweetness: Dry
Wine Body: Full bodied
ABV: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Maturation: 18 months in French oak, 25% new
Review: 96 Points, Jeni Port, Halliday Wine Companion
Drinking Window: 2026 to 2039