Heartland Stickleback Red 2008

A delicious example of the style that over-delivers on quality and offers great value.

Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon Dolcetto Lagrein Syrah/Shiraz

Type: Red

Country: Australia

Alcohol: 14.5%

Style: Full, fruity

Size: 750ml

Drink By: 2012

Glaetzer, Heartland, Stickleback, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Screwcap, Video

The Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon gives the wine a rich, savoury character. Ben Glaetzer has been planning to use the plantings of Dolcetto in Stickleback Red for several years. Only now are the vines mature enough for it to enhance the blend, offering firm tannins to the mix. Lagrein contributes spiciness and a fresh, crisp acid profile, enhancing the wine's structure.

This wine is fragrant, spicy, juicy and full bodied. A rich violet/purple colour. Chocolate spice and black fruit characters of cherry and plum on the palate, with a vibrant blackcurrant lift.

2008 Vintage Notes: Unlike many regions in Australia, Langhorne Creek escaped most of the heat of this warm vintage. This is in part due to the cooling effect of breezes from the Southern Ocean, which blow through the vineyards every afternoon. The breeze comes off Lake Alexandrina (next to the vineyards) and is known as the "Lake Doctor" by locals.

Yields were low to medium, with thick skins showing greater colour density. Fruit showed all round concentration and complexity of flavour.

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Tasting notes for Heartland Stickleback Red 2008

Sight: Quite deep and intense. Big tears, crimson.

Nose: Black fruit, black olive, soy character - cola bottles?

Palate: Full fruit, burst of peppery spice, nice acidity but not too much. Underlying tannins support nice fruit.

My favourite vintage to date. Seriously punching above its weight.

Matt, 2008 vintage (Mar, 2010)

We served this wine at our wedding also. We loved it ourselves and had nothing but positive feedback from everyone on it. It really is exceptional value for money and is really drinkable.

Reviewed by John on 13th October 2009. Add your review!

We served this at our wedding and maybe it was the weather (rain on a summer's day) but more red was consumed than white. Got great feedback, one guest described it as "nectar". Great wine for the price.

Reviewed by Colette Herlihy on 23rd August 2009. Add your review!

Robert Parker gave this 90 pts, Wine Spectator gave it rave reviews and I can see why. Ridiculously good value. I am becoming more and more of a fan of Ben Glaetzer. He simply makes great wine at every price level. This is a cracking wine thats not to be ...

Reviewed by Mossie Clarke on 07th February 2009. Add your review!