- Max Allen,
The Australian Wine Magazine, April/May 1999



Over the past 30 odd years the pioneers of the Heathcote district have extolled the virtues of having their vineyard planted on Cambrian earth – the soils are the result of a very long weathering process, having been formed from Cambrian rocks which are over 500 million years old.
These ancient soils, geologists inform us, are around 100 million years old. The Cambrian earth exists as two narrow bands that run parallel to the Mount William fault line. The Cambrian earth starts approx 5km South of the Heathcote township and extends North for approx 35km. The bands of earth are quite narrow, no more than 2km across and are not continuous, although they extend to the Northern end of the region.

The Cambrian earth runs either side of the Mt Camel range, following the road from Heathcote to Colbinabbin. Travelling north, it is the land on the left side of the road that is so highly sought after. The slopes are gently, well drained and generally above the frost line.

It is this Cambrian earth that, like the terra rossa of the Coonawarra, confers the area’s unique ability to produce extraordinary Shiraz. Much of the land is yet to be planted to vine and local farmers who have this soil profile on their properties have realised its real estate potential and are demanding high prices per acre compared to farms on grey loams.

Australian wine writer Max Allen wrote in The Wine Magazine in April/May 1999:
"Follow the Northern Highway until you reach Elmore, turn east on the Midland Highway towards Corop, then South again on the Rochester Road, back to Heathcote. Within this long, thin upside down triangle (and occasionally spilling out from the sides of it) can be found some of the most exciting grape-growing dirt in Australia.
You see, the red wines (shiraz, mostly) made from grapes grown in this deep Cambrian soil have something that sets them apart. They are unusually deep in colour, and this depth of colour remains stable for an unusually long time. Flavour, too - inky dark, ripe and black - seems to be present in uncommon volume.
For the technically minded, it has something to do with the potassium levels in the soil resulting in low pH fruit, something to do with the warm, reliable, dry climate, and something to do with the great depth of the soil resulting in good root penetration."

 

 

Below, a sample of Heathcote's rare Cambrian Earth. The soil is interspersed with semi-precious Jasper & Green stones.
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Tyrrell’s spotted Heathcote’s potential some years ago when Bruce Tyrrell secured over 80 acres of prime land around the Mt Camel range. Tyrrell's Heathcote was put to vine in 1994, with the first vintage released in 1997.
The relatively young vines upon Tyrrell’s particular vineyard are planted in the russet red cambrian soil, found at the foot of Mt Camel at the Southern end of the Colbinabbin Range. Vines are relatively low yielding but produce extremely high quality grapes. Rufus Stone Heathcote Shiraz was named after King William II (also known as ‘Rufus’ because of his ruddy complexion). It is believed that Rufus was mistakenly killed by an errant arrow fired by Sir Walter Tyrrell, an ancestor to the present day Tyrrell family. The Rufus Stone today marks the site of this infamous incident.
Source: Tyrrell’s Wines

Bruce Tyrrell
Tasting Notes on the 1998 Tyrrell's Rufus Stone Heathcote Shiraz: "This is the second release of this wine and whilst the 1997 was a freak it was no fluke, with the 1998 being another outstanding wine. This vineyard has the potential to become one of the superstars of Heathcote and when compared to some of the other high flyers of the region it is remarkable value for money. 1998 was a very warm, dry year in Heathcote with the low yielding vines producing very ripe concentrated fruit. Superb colour - opaque purple crimson with mauve edges. The nose is magnificent with distinct varietal character, and delightful aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant, liquorice allsorts and vanilla spice. The palate has that classic Heathcote characteristic of strong blackpepper which totally encases the mouth, hits the back palate and then lasts as one of the most extended aftertastes that one is likely to experience. Superb juxtaposition of flavour. Fine grained, velvet smooth tannins. An outstanding red. " Source: Vintage Direct

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