Heathcote Estate Shiraz 2022 from Heathcote’s ancient Cambrian soils is a brooding, single‑vineyard Victorian shiraz that marries regional power with real finesse, all certified organic from this vintage onwards.

In the glass it’s inky and intense, loaded with blackberry, black cherry, blood plum and liquorice, backed by bracken, earth, ironstone, graphite, pepper and layered woody spice. The palate is full‑bodied and muscular yet measured, with dense dark fruit, mineral drive, fine but stern tannins and a long, seamless finish after 11 months in French oak (around 20% new). Heathcote Estate Shiraz 2022 has serious cred too, with 96 points and Special Value from Jeni Port at Halliday Wine Companion among a string of 94–96pt reviews.

This is built for the table – think char‑grilled ribeye, slow‑roast lamb shoulder, venison, rich ragù or smoky veggie dishes like barbecued mushrooms and eggplant where that savoury depth really sings. It drinks brilliantly with a good decant now but will happily evolve in the cellar for 10–15 years as the structure mellows and the spice, earth and gamey notes unfurl.