HEARTLAND STICKLEBACK SHIRAZ, AUSTRALIA

A joint venture of industry veterans: winemakers Ben Glaetzer and Scott Collett, and wine industry management specialist Grant Tilbrook. Heartland uses grapes grown in the Limestone Coast and Langhorne Creek predominantly from vineyards owned by the partners. It currently exports 60% of its make to 38 international markets. The wines are principally contract-made at Barossa Vintners and represent excellent value for money.

Ben Glaetzer makes wines for his family brand plus Mitolo in McLaren Vale and the Heartland wines from Langhorne Creek. Stickleback is Heartlandʼs entry-level red. Showing aromas of spicy dark cherry, blackcurrant and blackberry with a whiff of licorice, itʼs generously flavoured with fresh, dark berry fruits and dense, inky characters. Fine-grained tannins keep things in balance, leaving an aftertaste of spice, cloves and dark chocolate.
Bright red in colour with fresh aromas of blackcurrant, dark fruits and herbal spice. Mouth filling flavours of plum and chocolate intermingle with subtle oak and smooth tannins.