Heartland Wines 2008 Shiraz - 89pts

Heartland Wines 2008 Shiraz (South Australia) Autralia


Availability: Widely available in BC and Ontario
Cost: $20-23
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: October 14th, 2010


Tasting Notes: This 100% Shiraz from Ben Glaetzer's Heartland Wines brand is a blend of fruit from two coastal South Australia regions: Langhorne Creek (64%) and Limestone Coast (36%). The Heartland label offers excellent value for well-made and classic Australian wines. The style relies on extraction but the result is never jammy or cooked. This Shiraz is sure to please most folks who enjoy big reds with both juicy and polished characters.


Concentrated eucalyptus, mint, hot rocks, licorice and dark cherry aromas on the nose are followed by dark berry, cherry and pepper-spice flavours on the tart, dry palate. Thick, inky ruby in colour with a moderate, balanced finish. Bold (and very pleasing) in character but lacks the refinement to be truly memorable. Drink 2010-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Majella Wines 2008 The Musician Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz - 88pts

Majella Wines 2008 The Musician Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz (Coonawarra) South Australia

Availability: BCLDB stores

Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: January, 2010

Tasting Notes:  A concentrated ruby core with a raspberry rim.  The nose expresses a steeliness with deep blackberry, white pepper, and obvious oak.  The oak is sustained on the palate with blackberry and green pepper.  The shiraz comes through with some spiciness and there are hints of green pepper.  The finish is long and spicy.  The Musician is straightforward and full bodied with excellent fruit concentration.  A solid sipper on its own, or good with a hearty BBQ.

Majella is a top producer of Cabernet in South Australia and this is a nice offering for everyday drinking.  No worries about putting this one down and waiting for development, the Musician is playing its tune right now. Drink 2010-2013.
- Hugh Carter ©copyright 2010 IconWines.ca

St. Hallett 2007 Shiraz - Grenache Gamekeepers Reserve - 89pts

St. Hallett 2007 Shiraz - Grenache Gamekeepers Reserve (Barossa) South Australia

Availability: BCLDB stores and private wine shops

Cost: $14.95

Alcohol: 14.5%

Tasting Notes: A great value Australian blend. The appearance was deep purple and opaque. The nose offered notes of coffee, raspberry, and black licorice. The palate was jammy and continued with raspberry, tar, and expresso. The finish was long and peppery. Overall this wine was smooth and bold, very fruit forward and very new world. If you like jammy wines this would be for you. Generally well balanced.

- Hugh Carter for Icon Wines ©copyright 2010

Grant Burge 2005 Barossa Vines Shiraz - 87pts

Grant Burge 2005 Barossa Vines Shiraz (Barossa Valley) South Australia - Australia

Availability: Widely available. BCLDB stores, Private wine stores

Cost: $19.99

Alcohol: 14.5%

Date Tasted: October 19th, 2009

Tasting Notes: This inky-garnet coloured wine from top Australian producer Grant Burge is a fruit-forward powerhouse of flavour as is to be expected with big Aussie Shiraz. On the nose you'll get youthful, intense aromas of nibs, vanilla, cherries, licorice with notes of crayola wrapping paper.

On the palate this medium-plus bodied wine offers flavours of red fruits, candied-cherries and licorice with medium acidity, high tannins and a long, pleasing finish. Drink now through 2012. - LC

Majella Wines 2005 Sparklng Shiraz - 88pts

Majella Wines 2005 Sparkling Shiraz (Coonawarra) South Australia - Australia

Availability: Limited quantities available at BCLDB stores

Cost: $39.99

Alcohol: 14%

Date Tasted: October 5th, 2009

Tasting Notes: South Australia producer Majella Wines has created a unique and delicious treat with their Sparkling Shiraz. This inky-ruby coloured Shiraz with persistent medium bubbles is made in the traditional method of sparkling wine and spends 48 months aging on the lees . Vintage Port is added during the dosage step which gives the wine its off-dry sweetness.

Developing aromas of leather, cassis, cigar box and loads of licorice create an intriguing bouquet for the nose to enjoy. Followed on the palate with flavours of leather, fig, cherry, tobacco, candied fruit with medium tannins and acidity. The high alcohol is masked by the depth of complexity this wine offers. Sealed with a crown cap, this high quality wine is approachable now and will hold for up to ten years in the cellar. - LC

SKU: 350595 UPC: 9331138000206

Heartland 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon - 91pts

Heartland 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (Langhorne Creek Limestone Coast – Australia).

Availability: Widely available

Cost: $21.99 (BCLDB Stores)

Tasting Notes: A complex cabernet sauvignon. Strong cassis on the nose and the liquorice is there but you have to work for it. Full berries on the palate. The finish lasts about twenty seconds and is a great end to a well balanced and sophisticated wine. Ben Glaetzer has a great reputation and doesn’t disappoint with this offering. At $22 this is a wine that could be drunk on a fairly regular basis. The cab would likely pair well with a creamy red sauce on a pasta dish while watching some episodes of 24 or perhaps listening to Band of Skulls on the patio. Thanks to the Tasting Room with Terry David Mulligan for introducing Ben Glaetzer and his line of wines. - HC