Heartland Director’s Cut Shiraz 2021

Striking from the outset, this wine’s dark ruby colour promises good things to come. The nose is alluring, with notes of blueberry, plum, dark chocolate, and vanilla. Paired with lamb backstrap pasta, this is a substantial dish, seasoned with olive oil, fresh basil, and pine nuts. Glossy, pure, and fresh, the wine harmonises with the lamb, combining beautifully with the olive oil, mustard, and lemon dressing to create a meaty, juicy encounter. The Director’s Cut delivers on its promise of spice and smoke, with a long-lasting finish underpinned by vivid acidity and a well-defined tannin structure. The wine mingles with the tomato and feta, complementing the basil and leaving a complex bittersweet finish. After the food, the wine alone is pure delight, offering fine, powdery and smooth textures. I truly enjoy how creamy, soft, and crunchy this food and wine pairing turned out.

David Stevens-Castro

Wine Critic at Winepilot

David is a wine, beverage & gastronomy consultant. A passionate professional, with rounded expertise: from wine & fruit production as an Agricultural Engineer; marketing, wine trends and wine business as a wine merchant; buying, stock management and financial management as a wine & beverage manager; assessing wines as an international wine judge plus food and wine pairing expert as the co-author of PAIRED Volume 1: Champagne & Sparkling Wines. Find out more about David here at paired-media.com

Wine tasting and teaching