By Ben Ranken Heathcote Shiraz is a dry, medium body wine from Taungurung country, Heathcote region, Victoria.
Key Facts
Details
Key Facts
Origin: Taungurung country, Heathcote region, Victoria
Grape type: Shiraz
Style: dry, medium body/tannins/acidity
Goes well with: savoury cheeses such as traditional clothbound Cheddar or Cantal AOC, aged Gruyère/Comté, cured meats
Similar wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache
NOTE – Harper and Blohm licensing restrictions require that wine can only be purchased in conjunction with one or more food items. A maximum quantity of liquor purchased must not exceed more than two 750ml bottles of wine. Liquor cannot be purchased by anyone under 18. Liquor cannot be left at unoccupied premises – please ensure that you will be home to accept your delivery.
Orders that do not meet these requirements will not be fulfilled and refunds will be issued.
Details
Heathcote Shiraz has a reputation for over-blown jammy flavours but experienced winemaker Ben Ranken shows a deft hand to produce a medium to full-bodied Shiraz bursting with notes of spice and dark fruits (plum/cherry) with a luscious, inky deep-purple colour. This robust wine was naturally fermented, was produced with the use of 15% new oak and spent some time on lees until bottling.
A little history
‘By Ben Ranken’ wines have been unofficially around since 2014 and have recently introduced Heathcote Shiraz to the tiny portfolio. The first incarnation of the Shiraz came from a few tonnes of grapes that came Ben’s way, becoming cleanskins (no label) for his nearest and dearest, including his brother who owned a Windsor wine bar. The label was painted by Ben’s then 4-year old daughter and pretty swiftly the wine sold out. Since then, there’s been a rogue Chardonnay, Pinot noir and more recently the two Blanc de Blancs (2013 and 1995) from Cope Williams.
In addition, Ben runs Wilimee Wines, a small family-run vineyard in the Macedon Ranges. Their vines were planted in 1982, making them some of the oldest in the Macedon Ranges. The vineyard is next to a sacred quarry, once mined for its greenstone, which was used to make stone axes by the Wurundjeri people. Wilimee Mooring means 'Place of Stone Axe'. He is also currently the winemaker at Mount Monument (Macedon Ranges). He was a finalist in the 2018/19/20/21 Winemaker Young Gun of Wine competition, winning the inaugural 2021 Vigneron Award.
