2023 Heathcote Winery Slaughterhouse Paddock Shiraz, Heathcote

Slaughterhouse is never shy, but do we see a little more youthful friendliness creeping in? The '23 is drinking a treat with a noticeably smoother, finer textural flow across the middle palate than some previous vintages. Aussie bush characters that are integral to its personality remain, nicely detailed in acacia, wild sage and bay leaf embracing ripe black fruits and woody spice. Tannins bring a firm presence because, at its heart, it is an ager.

93 points Jeni Port winecompanion.com.au

Heathcote Winery Slaughterhouse Paddock Shiraz from Heathcote is a powerful yet finely detailed expression of one of Victoria’s most distinctive Shiraz sites. Heathcote Winery is one of the region’s original pioneers, founded in the early nineteen seventies by Bruce Gardiner, whose belief in the area’s ancient Cambrian soils helped put Heathcote on the fine wine map. The Slaughterhouse Paddock is one of the estate’s most recognised vineyard blocks, planted on deep red Cambrian earth, rich in ironstone and extremely low in fertility. These soils naturally restrict vine vigour, producing small berries with intense flavour, firm tannins and a signature mineral drive.

The vineyard sits in a warm continental climate, but elevation and cooling evening breezes preserve freshness and balance. Fruit is hand harvested and fermented traditionally, with careful extraction to build structure without excess weight. Maturation takes place in French oak, selected to enhance texture and spice rather than dominate the fruit. The style is unapologetically Heathcote, bold, savoury and built to age, yet always grounded in site expression rather than winemaking gloss.

The aromatics are deep and commanding. Blackberry, black cherry and dark plum lead, followed by cracked black pepper, anise and clove. Beneath the fruit sits a distinctive savoury layer of ironstone earth, graphite and dried herbs, with hints of cocoa and smoked meat emerging as the wine opens. There is a sense of power held firmly in check.

The palate is full bodied, structured and confident. Concentrated dark fruit drives through firm, finely grained tannins that give the wine authority and length. Flavours of black fruit, spice, dark chocolate and mineral earth unfold in layers, supported by bright acidity that keeps the wine energetic and balanced. The finish is long, savoury and persistent, lingering with pepper, fruit and stone. While impressive now with decanting, this Shiraz is built for the long haul, comfortably evolving over fifteen to twenty years into leather, truffle and complex savoury tones.

A natural match for grilled ribeye, slow cooked beef, lamb shoulder, venison, mushroom dishes or aged hard cheeses. Heathcote Winery Slaughterhouse Paddock Shiraz is a benchmark expression of the region, powerful, site driven and deeply satisfying.