Heartland was the project of Ben Glaetzer — one of Australia’s most celebrated winemakers, whose family name is synonymous with the very best of Barossa and Langhorne Creek. Ben will now focus entirely on his own label, Glaetzer Wines, which means this is truly the end of the road for Heartland.

Langhorne Creek is one of South Australia’s most underrated wine regions — a cool, maritime-influenced area just south of the Barossa, where the Bremer River floods each winter and deposits rich alluvial soils across the vineyards. It produces some of Australia’s most generously flavoured, deeply structured reds, and the Director’s Cut is the finest expression of what it can do with Shiraz.

The fruit was harvested at night to retain freshness, then fermented cool with Rhône yeast and hand-plunged three times daily before spending 12 months in 75% new French oak hogsheads. The result is everything you’d want from a serious Australian Shiraz — without the bombast. Berry compote, fresh berries, cocoa and spice on the nose. Juicy plums, chocolate-dipped dried fruits, a hint of oregano and thyme on the palate, and a long, lingering finish. Full-bodied, rich and beautifully made.

Stock is strictly limited — when it’s gone, it’s gone for good.