Established in 1955 by former Czech vigneron Paul Osicka, this is Heathcote’s oldest producer, 2022 marking the 67th anniversary of the planting of the vineyard. Today, grandson Simon tends the 10 hectares of Shiraz vineyard producing a rich, highly revered Shiraz that always disappears quickly off the shelves.
After the dry hot spell of 2018, 2019 and 2020 vintages, Heathcote had two good winters and a consistently warm (as distinct from hot) lead into the 2022 harvest. Simon Osicka ranks it alongside the 2010 and 2015 vintages and comments "The 2022 season looks to be very special for red wine from our vineyard."
In recent years there has been a significant investment in processing and sorting equipment at Paul Osicka. The fruit now undergoes gentle processing, sorting and movement by gravity (no pumping) which results in just pure, perfectly ripened berries in the small open top fermenters. The fruit spends about 28 days on skins prior to pressing and maturation in French oak vessels. 60% of these are large oak vats (2000 litres plus) with the new oak component about 20%. The wine was racked once prior to blending and bottling in June 2023.
Rich and powerful yet possessing sublime refinement, this is a stunning example of Heathcote Shiraz.
Impenetrable inky black dark purple colour with a dark purple black tinged hue. Very expressive and fragrant on the nose, it offers up a kaleidoscope of liquorice, violet, red to dark plum, blackberry and blueberry scents which are interwoven with vanillin cedar, hints of choc mint, fennel and pepper. Rich, sleek and powerful, the perfectly proportioned palate is totally gorgeous to drink. Expansive and plush in its feel, blackberry, liquorice, red to dark plum and blueberry fruits are laden across it with spicy vanillin cedar, subtle earth, choc mint and peppered fennel elements echoing through the back half. Seamlessly integrated, velvet smooth tannins provide the framework. Possessing magical balance, it’s graceful and fresh, and finishes exceptionally long and polished.
Drink over the next 8-10 years.
Alc. 14.5%
