# Director's Cut Shiraz (2021)

- **Producer:** Heartland Wines
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Shiraz
- **Region:** South Australia, Australia
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €31
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** black plum, blackberry, black cherry, black pepper, vanilla, cedar, cloves

## About this wine

The Heartland Director's Cut Shiraz is a flagship wine from Heartland Wines, founded in 1999 to celebrate the Langhorne Creek region. Winemaker Ben Glaetzer, from a prominent winemaking family, crafts this wine from meticulously selected Shiraz fruit, often sourced from old vines. The Langhorne Creek region's cool maritime climate and diurnal range contribute to the wine's distinctive character. The 2021 vintage, noted as a cooler year, allowed for a focus on fruit purity, with limited new oak usage.

## Interesting facts

- Director's Cut is a special selection from Heartland's best Shiraz vineyards.
- Grapes are harvested at night to preserve freshness.
- Langhorne Creek's flood irrigation is a key part of vine sustenance.
- The 2021 vintage was a cooler year, enhancing fruit focus.

## Food pairing

The wine's full body and tannins are well-suited to complement the richness and protein of red meats, creating a balanced pairing. The wine's fruit-forward character can stand up to robust flavors and savory dishes.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for the Heartland Director's Cut Shiraz begins with the selection of fruit from old vines, harvested at night. Grapes are crushed into small open-top stainless-steel fermenters, where fermentation is initiated with a Rhône Valley yeast strain. The fermentation lasts 11 days at controlled temperatures (under 22°C) with extended skin contact and three daily pump-overs. Following fermentation, the wine is aged for 14 months in French hogshead barrels, comprising 60% new and 40% second-fill. Heartland Wines employs sustainable practices, including flood irrigation.