Heathcote’s Cambrian soils produce some of Victoria’s most boldly flavoured and distinctive Shiraz. From Wild Duck Creek to Jasper Hill, it is the home of a number of sought after producers. Whistling Eagle mightn’t be quite as well known as the aforementioned two, but its wines are rated highly by those in the know.
For many years the Whistling Eagle vineyard supplied Hardy’s flagship Eileen Hardy Shiraz before the Rathjen family started producing their own wine in commercial volumes. The 2008 Whistling Eagle ‘Eagle’s Blood’ Shiraz delivers the power and intensity one expects of Heathcote. At 15.5% ABV it is by no means a shy and retiring customer, but it is well balanced and even displays a modicum of elegance.
At this point in its evolution, the wine is yet to fully come together. There’s a considerable lustre of polished smoky oak which will no doubt sit better in the wine with a further few years cellaring. In sum, this is a big, bold and powerful Shiraz, typically Heathcote. It should be drinking at its best 10 or so years from vintage.
2008 WHISTLING EAGLE ‘EAGLE’S BLOOD’ SHIRAZ
Producer: Whistling Eagle
Variety: Syrah/Shiraz
Vintage: 2008
Region: Heathcote, Victoria
ABV: 15.5%
Closure: Natural cork
Retail Price: $55.00
Date tasted: 5 June 2014
Tasting Note:
Deep crimson verging on opaque. Concentrated dark fruited nose, woodsmoke, oak char, tar, roasted spices. Full bodied, quite elegant for its size, immensely powerful, lots of smoky oak. Quite creamy in texture. Not yielding a huge amount at this point in time. Well balanced notwithstanding the high alcohol. Needs time.
Score: 16.5/20
For many years the Whistling Eagle vineyard supplied Hardy’s flagship Eileen Hardy Shiraz before the Rathjen family started producing their own wine in commercial volumes. The 2008 Whistling Eagle ‘Eagle’s Blood’ Shiraz delivers the power and intensity one expects of Heathcote. At 15.5% ABV it is by no means a shy and retiring customer, but it is well balanced and even displays a modicum of elegance.
At this point in its evolution, the wine is yet to fully come together. There’s a considerable lustre of polished smoky oak which will no doubt sit better in the wine with a further few years cellaring. In sum, this is a big, bold and powerful Shiraz, typically Heathcote. It should be drinking at its best 10 or so years from vintage.
2008 WHISTLING EAGLE ‘EAGLE’S BLOOD’ SHIRAZProducer: Whistling Eagle
Variety: Syrah/Shiraz
Vintage: 2008
Region: Heathcote, Victoria
ABV: 15.5%
Closure: Natural cork
Retail Price: $55.00
Date tasted: 5 June 2014
Tasting Note:
Deep crimson verging on opaque. Concentrated dark fruited nose, woodsmoke, oak char, tar, roasted spices. Full bodied, quite elegant for its size, immensely powerful, lots of smoky oak. Quite creamy in texture. Not yielding a huge amount at this point in time. Well balanced notwithstanding the high alcohol. Needs time.
Score: 16.5/20
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