Brown Brothers Ten Acres Heathcote Shiraz 2012

This is a cellar door/mailing list only wine methinks. Speaking of, the Brown Brothers cellar door is one of the most interesting in the country – I managed to taste 34 different varieties on my last visit and there are sparkling variations of just about everything. Clever stuff.

Here, the emphasis is on heartiness. It’s only medium bodied, but it feels quite substantial, kicking off with mint and eucalypt before a dry and rustic extractive palate. There’s a rough ‘n’ ready rawness of alcohol and acid, yet it also feels really substantial. Old school Aussie red wine substantial. You just know its going to improve too.

A red wine to chew on, with none of this sweet and silky stuff.

Details: 14.5%, Screwcap, $30
Tasted: March 2015, Sample
Best drinking: 2016-2025
Score: 17/20, 90/100+
Would I drink it? Only after a decade in the cellar.
Buy online: Brown Brothers website

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Wine

Andrew Graham
Almost 25 years ago I started working in a small bottleshop, largely to buy cheap beer. There, I met my first two loves - wine and craft beer, and they took over my life. Two decades later and I spend my days as a journalist, buyer, wine show judge, marketer and drinks industry consultant.

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Brown Brothers Ten Acres Heathcote Shiraz 2012