Heirloom Vineyards – McLaren Vale, South Australia
I don’t know who rights the tasting notes and copy for Heirloom Vineyards in South Australia, but it has to be some of the most interesting and enticing words I have seen written about wine!
Heirloom are located in McLaren Vale, South Australia and was “conceived in vintage 2000, when a young winemaking student caught the eye of a silly old wine judge” – their words, not mine 🙂
After 7 vintages or trial and error, Heirloom finally released a vintage. I don’t know about you, but it sounds like they are perfectionists – which I admire!
I also love that behind the Heirloom wines are 2 female winemakers: Elena Brooks & Rosie Signer.
You can visit Heirloom Vineyards and learn more about them at: heirloomvineyards.com.au
Heirloom Vineyards Tasting Notes
Disclosure: The below wines were sent to me as a sample, I was under no obligation to post about them. All opinions are based on my own taste buds and I share what I enjoy so others can discover amazing wines too. Wine is subjective & always evolving, so make sure you drink what you enjoy!
Heirloom Vineyards 2019 A’Lambra Shiraz – Barossa Valley
Wow! What a special wine this A’Lambra Shiraz is! It is made from their best Barossa Valley Shiraz vineyard and retails for a cool $120. It’s safe to say this wine will age incredibly if kept well.
Naturally we decanted this one a good few hours before we sipped it, to let it open up and help all those delicious aromas and flavours come to life.
In the glass, it’s virtually opaque with a hint of garnet to it. From the first whiff, it warms up the cockles of your heart. Think blackcurrant, liquorice and leather. It’s incredibly aromatic and savoury, which makes your mouth water with desire. In the mouth it definitely packs a punch of flavours, it’s full bodied with plentiful dark fruit flavours. It was blood plum that really stood out to us and our guests (who were more than happy to help us enjoy this!). I especially loved the rich, long finish. To die-for.
14.6% alcohol – Minimal sulphur dioxide added – Hand picked – Vegan friendly
Heirloom Vineyards McLaren Vale 2019 Shiraz
Tasted: 12 April 2021
“This Heirloom Vineyards Shiraz was sourced from hand tended vines, sorted
bunch by bunch, naturally open fermented, with gentle pumping over to
extract colour, flavour and tannin. Aged in some new but mainly 3 and 4 year
year old American and French oak barrels for 16 months.” – heirloomvineyards.com.au
Mr Spittoon and I enjoyed this for date night once Baby TC was in bed. We popped it in the decanter while we cooked up some delicious steaks with peppercorn sauce, creamy mash and just blanched broccolini. It was a perfect match and really set the mood for a lovely evening.
In the glass it’s a deep, dark plum colour. Notes of black liquorice, cherry tobacco, slightly charred oak and blackberry jam rise from the glass. I love the complexity! It’s full-bodied on the palate with fantastic smoothness and subtle tannins that tickle the roof of your mouth. Lovely vanillin and berry characteristics with a hint of sweet tobacoo. So delicious!
14.5% alcohol – Vegan friendly – Minimal sulphur dioxide added – Unfiltered & unfined
Heirloom Vineyards 2020 Touriga – McLaren Vale
Tasted: 31 March 2021
Touriga Nacional is a red wine grape considered to be one of Portugal’s flagship grape variety’s. It plays a big part in the production of Port Wine however it also can be made into excellent red table wines.
We decided to match it with a butterflied lamb done on the barbie with some broccoli slaw after Baby TC was in bed. We typically have family dinners these days at 5:30pm, so the nights we decide to splash out and have a late dinner, means we pull out the good stuff to drink!
“Hand tended vines, sorted bunch-by-bunch, naturally open fermented, basket-pressed and stored in well-seasoned French oak barriques from bespoke coopers for 9 months before bottling.” – heirloomvineyards.com.au
It’s a bright and vibrant crimson-mauve colour in the glass. Blackberries, Turkish Delight, cherries and a sprinkling of white pepper tempt the nostrils. While in the mouth its smooth, yet full of muscular tannins with a black cherry bomb finish and a nice bit of spice to it. Decadent, bold and perfect for your own little ‘speakeasy’ once the kids are in bed ?
As mentioned, we had this with a butterflied bbq lamb and it was DIVINE. This wine deserve a red meat dish or a dish that packs a load of flavour. YUMMMM!
Vegan friendly – 13.5% alcohol
