Region: Victoria
Sub Region: Heathcote
Variety: Shiraz
Country: Australia
Vintage: 2010
Style: Full-bodied, mature red
The Wine
Jasper Hill helped establish Heathcote as a source of distinctive, age-worthy Shiraz. Founded by Ron and Elva Laughton in 1978, the estate built its identity around small quantities of fruit from unirrigated vineyards, an organic approach to farming and a strong belief in the individual character of each site.
Georgia’s Paddock takes its name from one of the Laughtons’ daughters. Predominantly west-facing and situated around 300 metres above sea level, the vineyard sits on the region’s characteristic soils derived from ancient Cambrian basalt. Its dry-grown vines produce fruit with the depth and natural structure that have become hallmarks of the wine.
The estate’s approach centres on destemmed fruit, natural fermentation, extended skin contact and French oak maturation. The 2010 was released at 14% alcohol, with the winery highlighting its combination of plum, red berries, mixed spice, rich tannins and balanced acidity.
Dark cherry, mulberry and herbal complexity were central to its early critical assessment. Maturity adds another layer to that profile, bringing the opportunity for earth, leather and savoury spice to emerge around the fruit. The pleasure now lies in the integration of those elements and the distinctive character of the vineyard.
Cellared Says
This is precisely the sort of older Australian Shiraz I find interesting to recommend: a wine with a clear identity, a strong connection to its vineyard and enough history to make its development worth following.
I’d be opening the 2010 now. The attraction is the chance to experience Georgia’s Paddock with its edges softened and its savoury character more fully expressed. A careful decant and an unhurried glass would be my approach.
Reviews
“Beautifully balanced and evocative wine with dark cherry, mulberry, herb flavours…”
95 Points — Andrew Caillard MW, August 2012 tasting, published by Jasper Hill
Region: Victoria
Sub Region: Heathcote
Variety: Shiraz
Country: Australia
Vintage: 2010
Style: Full-bodied, mature red
The Wine
Jasper Hill helped establish Heathcote as a source of distinctive, age-worthy Shiraz. Founded by Ron and Elva Laughton in 1978, the estate built its identity around small quantities of fruit from unirrigated vineyards, an organic approach to farming and a strong belief in the individual character of each site.
Georgia’s Paddock takes its name from one of the Laughtons’ daughters. Predominantly west-facing and situated around 300 metres above sea level, the vineyard sits on the region’s characteristic soils derived from ancient Cambrian basalt. Its dry-grown vines produce fruit with the depth and natural structure that have become hallmarks of the wine.
The estate’s approach centres on destemmed fruit, natural fermentation, extended skin contact and French oak maturation. The 2010 was released at 14% alcohol, with the winery highlighting its combination of plum, red berries, mixed spice, rich tannins and balanced acidity.
Dark cherry, mulberry and herbal complexity were central to its early critical assessment. Maturity adds another layer to that profile, bringing the opportunity for earth, leather and savoury spice to emerge around the fruit. The pleasure now lies in the integration of those elements and the distinctive character of the vineyard.
Cellared Says
This is precisely the sort of older Australian Shiraz I find interesting to recommend: a wine with a clear identity, a strong connection to its vineyard and enough history to make its development worth following.
I’d be opening the 2010 now. The attraction is the chance to experience Georgia’s Paddock with its edges softened and its savoury character more fully expressed. A careful decant and an unhurried glass would be my approach.
Reviews
“Beautifully balanced and evocative wine with dark cherry, mulberry, herb flavours…”
95 Points — Andrew Caillard MW, August 2012 tasting, published by Jasper Hill
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