Heathcote Winery 2001 Mail Coach Shiraz Aug 03

This wine has a touch of Viognier added and that’s something that frequently doesn’t appeal to my tastes because of the overt sweetness of this grape variety; however this is one that I am happy to now have in the cellar.

Initially apricot and some vanilla dominated the nose (although the oak is mainly French) but as it opened up the chocolate, dark berry and earthy mushroom aromas started to fight their way to the fore. The wine is tight and youthful with refreshing acid; the deeply seated fruit of muscular weight has good intensity. Abundant tannins are fine grained and provide a big solid backbone for this well made and structured wine that whilst drinking well now due to its intense fruit flavours needs years to show its best.

Complexity is interesting and well above average with a sweet (but not overly so) attack of red/blue berry fruit that quickly turns savoury with apricot, blackberry, plum, pepper, chocolate, and mint. Finish is very respectable. Rated as Highly Recommended with **** for value this wine can be found for $25.

Copyright © Ric Einstein 2003