Simon Osicka

Winemaker, Paul Osicka Wines, Graytown

Which wine sums up Heathcote in a bottle?

It has to be shiraz and 2015 was a strong vintage for most. She-Oak Hill’s shiraz is a consistently good example from a well-situated vineyard and it won’t break the bank. What local wine is good to drink now? The 2015 Tellurian Marsanne. Winemaker Tobias Ansted has a real focus on textural whites made from Rhône Valley varietals. This one is complex and rich but the finish is crisp enough to refresh the palate.

And what would you cellar? The 2012 Foster e Rocco Riserva Sangiovese. The Italian variety sangiovese shows tremendous promise, with lots of earthiness and savoury tannins. It would be great with another five years in the cellar.

You have $25 to spend. What would you buy? The 2017 Tar & Roses Tempranillo, which has bright, punchy fruit and serious tannin structure.

And if money were no object? I can’t choose one so I’ll go with Wild Duck Creek’s Duck Muck and Jasper Hill’s Georgia’s Paddock Shiraz. They can be difficult to find [outside Heathcote], though, and Duck Muck is produced only in exceptional harvest years. Both have gained international attention and are perfect examples of full-throttle, powerhouse Heathcote shiraz.