Tellurian Heathcote GSM 2022

‘All fruit sourced from our Tellurian vineyard growing in Cambrian soils formed over 500 million years. Deep, rich, decomposed greenstone rock and limestone with soil depths up to 2m allow roots to reach deep, while relatively low fertility controls vigour and yield. Grapes harvested separately at ripeness, each parcel fermented in small open top fermenters. Shiraz fermented on skins for 11 days, grenache 12-16 days, and mourvèdre 9 days. All ferments hand plunged or pumped over up to twice a day. 10 months maturation in seasoned French oak barriques prior to filtration.’ 

Heathcote seems like a great place for producing GSM, with its very warm summers and cool winters allowing each variety to ripen fully while still maintaining freshness. This is certainly the case with the Tellurian GSM, which has a high alcohol level (14.8%) yet it’s not overwhelming. There’s lots of tangy boysenberry and mulberry, strawberry topping-like notes, mixed with raspberry, heaps of cinnamon spice, vanilla, and some stewed fruit – like some sort of alcoholic fruit pudding. The fruit is very lively and refreshing, with enough acid, structure and tannin to keep the alcohol in check. A thoroughly enjoyable wine.

Brendan Black

Wine Critic at Winepilot

Brendan is a Melbourne-based writer, filmmaker, playwright and composer. Since 2013, he has been published in national and regional Australian titles such as Halliday Magazine, Gourmet Traveller Wine, Grapegrower and Winemaker, Gippslandia, Gippsland Lifestyle, Yarra Valley and Ranges and Gippsland Country Life magazines. Brendan was a finalist for 2024 Wine Communicator Awards in the 'Best Published Feature Article or Wine Column' category. He has completed the WSET Level 3 course (gaining a Distinction) and has a passion for small producers of wine, beer and spirits. He is also the co-editor of 'I'm Not a Film Star: David Bowie as Actor' for Bloomsbury Academic.

Author and wine writer