2023 Heathcote Winery The Origin Shiraz, Heathcote

Welcome to the more elegant side of Heathcote shiraz. Dare I suggest the more refined side? Everything just clicks into place effortlessly. At its heart lies a core of beautifully ripe fruit brimming in black berries, plums, blue fruits, anise, allspice, cacao and bay leaf. The palate is juicy, dense and lithe, dressed in fine tannins. It's a well-measured wine across the board, including the level of harmonious oak. And it lasts and lasts on the tongue.

95 points Jeni Port winecompanion.com.au

Heathcote Winery’s The Origin Shiraz is a pure expression of the region’s famed Cambrian soils and its ability to produce deeply flavoured yet finely structured Shiraz. Heathcote Winery has built its reputation on crafting wines that reflect the region’s long, warm growing season and the unique 500-million-year-old red volcanic soils that give the wines their distinctive richness and minerality. Fruit for The Origin comes from carefully selected vineyard blocks, harvested at optimal ripeness and vinified in small batches to preserve site character.

In the glass, The Origin Shiraz is deep purple-crimson with an aromatic profile of blackberry, mulberry, and dark plum, layered with hints of violets, black pepper, and warm spice. The palate is plush yet poised, delivering ripe black fruits, dark chocolate, and a touch of liquorice, all framed by fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Maturation in French oak adds cedar, clove, and subtle mocha complexity, integrating seamlessly with the fruit. The result is a wine that balances Heathcote’s natural power with elegance and drinkability.

This Shiraz pairs beautifully with slow-cooked beef brisket, roast lamb with rosemary and garlic, venison pie, or chargrilled eggplant with smoky paprika. While appealing now for its vibrant fruit and supple texture, it will cellar gracefully for 8 to 12 years, gaining savoury, earthy depth with age.