Hanging Rock Cambrian Rise Heathcote Shiraz 2012

This multi-vineyard blend is basically the second wine to Hanging Rock’s flagship Heathcote Shiraz. A little Google searching reveals that this can be picked up for sub $25, at which price it’s a stand-out. Multi-vineyard, multi-thumbs-up.

It’s a biggun too. Deep, mauve red purple, there’s sweet oak and a little volatility on the nose, the palate all purple fruit, coated in sweet vanilla paste oak before a gently warm, finely textured finish.

Heathcote to the core, this is full, rich, polished, generous and ticks just about all the other Heathcote Shiraz boxes. The oak needs to integrate more and it’s a little warm, but otherwise good good good.

Details: 14.5%, Screwcap, $30. Best drinking: 2016-2028,  17.8/20, 92/100+, would I buy it? I’d share a bottle, but high chance someone else would drain the bottle and tell me that it was the greatest wine they’ve ever had. Likely a bloke.
Buy online: Corkscrew Cellars, Hanging Rock website