Heartland Spice Trader Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

This is an absolute ripper for its suggested price of $17.

Smelling like conclusion of a great evening on the back deck, that being a wedge of dark chocolate and a fat Cuban for company. Or you could have it in liquid form by way of this classic Aussie red. 

Plum, cassis, hazelnuts in the frame too. The aforementioned chocolate is more than present too. Add in some freshening acidity and at sub-$20 you have an attractive, ready to go drinking proposition from the Heartland team and Langhorne Creek. 90

Tasted on: Tuesday 11th September
Source: Sample
Price: $17
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://heartlandwines.com.au/

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Alkoomi White Label Riesling 2018

This wine wasn't showing the greatest from the off. Yes there was a beautiful profile of lime, lemon grass and talcum. Hitting the right aromatic notes from the off. 

But those flavours don't necessarily mesh well on the palate, where it actually seemed somewhat out of sorts. 

A day later it presented well. A good acidic line - it's Riesling - and a sense of citrus based flavour started to take shape. 

It's not a bad wine, just initially seeming somewhat hollow and bereft of what I expect from the brand, which normally over-delivers at the price point. Given the majority of this will be consumer straight from the off, it doesn't show itself best straight away. 86 

Tasted on: Thursday 13th September 
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 12.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.alkoomiwines.com.au/

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Heartland Directors' Cut Shiraz 2015

A wine very familiar to me from a previous life in the UK, indeed Heartland Wines in general always had a fantastic presence in that great off-licence chain, Oddbins. Until they themselves lost their way a little.

Good deal of oak on show here, all heavily toasted (80% French, 20% American), as nutty as number 45, the incumbent President. Comes across as lavish, powerful and polished. A little time shows Shea's coconut butter - I think you get the picture. 

No relenting on the palate, it's big and bold here too, in line with with everything you see on the nose. Certainly one that wears it heart on both sleeves. 

A lingering finish, substantial in frame and presence. 92 

Tasted on: Friday 7th September
Source: Sample
Price: $33
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://heartlandwines.com.au/

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Margan Breaking Ground Albarino 2018

Marginally less to offer in 2018, compared to its 2017 guise.

Playful thing, offering up a citrus tinged aroma that just - for me - evokes Mediterranean summers. 

Clean, crisp, good level of acidity given a spine to the wine. About it hangs a semblance of flavour, fine and not over-done, offering more by way of refreshment and satisfaction, than necessarily a profound drinking experience. 

Drink it pretty chilled, was enjoyed round these parts with a chicken and pea risotto. 88 

Tasted on: Tuesday 11th September
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 11.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.margan.com.au/

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Huntington Estate Shiraz 2014

Sweet accented fruit sits over the top of a core that can only described as Huntington Estate's Mudgee in a meeting of the minds with the oak that nurtured the wine.

Medium bodied, it's awash with blue-purple fruit, chocolate accented depths and bringing up a fine tannin profile. 

It's silken profile caries a wave of flavour across a length of generosity flecked with spice. 91

Tasted on: Monday 10th September
Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 13.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://huntingtonestate.com.au/

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Margan Breaking Ground Albarino 2017

Interesting variety the Albarino - not withstanding its assumed history here in Aus, it's a long story - it is rather better known as a simple quaffer you chill down and seemingly smash with gay abandon.

Anyway: Florals, white pepper, dill thrown in too. Fresh and fragrant 

Minerally tingle meets a textural swathe flowing across the palate. Has a tangy edge, with a hint of citrusy acidity. Hard one to pin down, offering a little of everything with great refreshment factor. 90 

Tasted on: Tuesday 11th September
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 11.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.margan.com.au/

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Heartland Foreign Correspondent Dolcetto Lagrein 2018

Been a while since I've seen this wine. From memory it used to be just named per the constituent varieties. Now it's taken on a fancy new label with an assigned brand name. Looks pretty good for it.

It's a juicy little blend of two varieties of Italian origin (95% Dolcetto, 5% Lagrein).

It's all awash with primary red fruit, supplemented with a little twist of fresh cracked pepper.

More of the pepper on the palate, married to quite fresh and juicy core. Soft, sensuous and rather light and airy palate structure. A gentle hand shown with this. Fresh, a little crunch. 

Recommended guidance is to serve cool (10-12) and I'd go with that. 88 

Tasted on: Friday 7th September
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://heartlandwines.com.au/

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