Located in the coveted south end of Heathcote, Victoria, the vines nestle in the sought-after granitic soil amongst dramatic scenery of large granite boulders, majestic rolling hills and imposing gullies that are framed by the Great Dividing Range. Picture-perfect.
 
McIvor Estate has been producing great vinous things since 1997, and owners Gary and Cynthia Harbor have modelled their place on an Italian mixed farm, paying homage to Cynthia's Italian heritage. The property yields award-winning wines, an olive grove producing oils and fruit, and a small herd of Murray Grey breeding cows to keep an eye on things.
 
Granitic loams, deep and free draining soils. The grapes were open tank fermented, then airbag pressed. The wine was left to age in 20% new and 80% old French and American oak for 15 months. The wine was racked prior to bottling. Minimal filtration was used. Very perfumed, with dark spice, blackberries and raspberries and inky notes. Silky, ripe, brambly fruits are supported by firm, fine tannins with hints of French oak. It shows an elegant minerality and tight acidity and lovely texture. The wine will benefit from decanting and being served at a cool room temperature. Whilst just a baby at the moment with the appropriate amount of cellaring to integrate and soften it will be a really delicious drink in three to five years time
 
Dense purple-crimson; a sumptuous, full-bodied wine that lights up every corner of the mouth with its almost wanton display of juicy blackberry, blackcurrant and all spice; it is not the least heavy, the tannins fine, the quality oak playing a pure support role. A great outcome for a vintage at the end of a long drought. Screwcap. Drink by: 2035; Price: $35.00; Alcohol: 13.7%; Rating: 96 Points; James Halliday Wine Companion
 
Of all Mother Nature’s destructive forces on a winery, there can be something good to come from drought - provided you are not a bean counter. With the same number of vines fighting for lesser water, the volumes are reduced markedly but the complexity and concentration levels of the wine are obvious. A youthful, dense and deep crimson to look at, on the nose it displays the most gorgeous lifted aromatics, almost violet or floral like and plenty of spice to support and oak present. A medium to full bodied mouth continues the opulence with bright berries, pepper and brambly fruit and then the dark brigade lead by rich plummy fruit. The fine grained tannins carry it on a long finish. This walks the tight rope of power and elegance fabulously and the fruit and acid suggests it will easily see out a decade or more. Excellent Stuff. The most pleasing aspects of my re-acquaintance with McIvor Estate Heathcote Shiraz is that those garish labels are gone, replaced by nice, wholesome, clean labels but more importantly to you, obviously they still don't realise how good their Shiraz is and they are still under-pricing it! Drink: Now-2020+; Quality: Excellent BW; WineStar© September 2011