This friendly, medium-bodied red highlights the best of each varietal - Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz give the wine a rich savory character and structure, the Dolcetto lends brightness and lift and the Lagrein contributes spice, tannins and fresh, crisp acids. The grapes were fermented on their skins for five days before a cool fermentation in two and three-year-old oak barrels. The wine displays attractive and fragrant notes of black cherries, sweet plums and blackcurrants, followed by hints of chocolate and nutmeg.

Heartland Wines is the brainchild of winemaker Ben Glaetzer and business partners Grant Tilbrook, Scott Collet, Geoff Hardy, Gino Melini, John Pargeter and Vicki Arnold. Ben is the second generation of a celebrated Australian wine dynasty that began with his father Colin. As winemaker for Glaetzer Wines, Ben continues a 30+ year tradition of producing elite Shiraz, including Australia's iconic Amon-Ra. Ben is passionate about wine and exploring the differences in terroir – ergo, his multiple winemaking responsibilities at Glaetzer, Mitolo, Woodstock and Heartland. Founded in 2002, Heartland produces wines that highlight the unique terroir and characteristics of Langhorne Creek and the Limestone Coast, two of Southern Australia's most highly regarded wine appellations. Heartland owns 1,000 acres of mature vineyards in Langhorne Creek and the Limestone Coast that are planted to sandy loam soils and/or grey marl over deep limestone. With these estate-grown grapes, Ben produces three different ranges: the modestly priced Stickleback, the midpriced Coast and Creek range and the premium Director's Cut Reserve. This tiered approach was deliberately crafted to, "Give the drinker stepping stones...making each level deliver more quality than its price would suggest," says Ben. "My aspiration is to allow anyone who buys one of my wines, irrespective of its price point, to see a snap shot of my vineyards, vintage and history."

Technical notes

(45%Sauvignon/38% Shiraz/9% Dolcetto/8% Lagrein). The composition of this blend is driven by the house style.