95 Points - Mike Bennie | 95 Points - Jeni Port Paul Osicka is the longest standing wine producer in the Heathcote wine region with the original Shiraz vines planted over 55 years ago. The wines are made and bottled by Simon Osicka; the third generation involved in the winery. The annual release of Paul Osicka Heathcote Shiraz is always highly anticipated with the limited stocks snapped up quickly. The 2023 Paul Osicka Majors Creek Shiraz is another flavoursome, medium-bodied Heathcote Shiraz, with excellent spice, savouriness and lashings of dark cherry, plum and subtle tannin, all working in perfect harmony with each other. Another super Shiraz that will please the many Paul Osicka fans. "95 Points. The Osicka vineyard one of the special sites of Australian wine, for mine. For many, perhaps. It should be anyway. I’ve said it before, but a Wendouree-like feel to the wines at times, here for sure, then again, distinct too, and so they should be. Yardsticks and all that. It’s got depth and potency, a gloss and sheen to texture, slick richness of ripe plum, forest berries, but then liquorice, fennel, roasted game meat, alpine herbs and touches of hazelnut and ferrous earth. The texture is pulpy and somewhat plush but the sheath of lacy tannin keeps things in check, the wine stretches long and luxuriously, seriously, and finishes with twists of herbs and pepper. A significant wine, harmonious and superb. Tasted: June 25. 14.5% alc. Screwcap Drink: 2025 - 2035+"- Mike Bennie, The Wine Front. "95 Points. A number of different soil types employed here, each batch fermented and matured separately in French oak. A wine with a long-standing history with plantings dating back almost 70 years. It's a slightly finer rendition this vintage but the generosity is there, the Heathcote stamp apparent in sweet, ripe black and blue fruits, wild herbs, baked earth, anise and, yes, spice. Boasts a fine-grained texture and freshness through to the finish. Open and generous but with a nice degree of elegance. Old vines at their best. 14.3% alc. Drink: 2025 - 2036"- Jeni Port, Halliday Wine Companion.
