Sanguine Estate 2012 Progeny Shiraz

It is no secret that many winemakers see Heathcote as the source of some of the best shiraz fruit in the country. This is an absolutely cracking cool-climate shiraz that's made with obvious care and attention. The fruit is hand-picked, the juice gravity fed and fermented with indigenous yeasts in small open-topped tanks and matured in mainly old French barriques for 14 months before release. This won the trophy for best shiraz at the recent Heathcote Wine Show, which wouldn't mean a jot to me if it wasn't for the fact the judging panel has unearthed a real gem. This tastes like a luxury wine, bold but elegant with ballsy dark fruit, pepper and spice and beautifully balanced toasty oak. It's a ripper and is available direct from the winery for $22.95. www.sanguinewines.com.au.