This has all the hallmarks of a classic bottling.
2024 Henschke Julius Riesling, Eden Valley – South Australia
Pale colour. Intense lime pastille, camomile aromas with herb garden, hint flinty notes. Beautifully concentrated and pure fruited riesling, with ample lime, lemon glacé fruits, fine bittersweet textures, a hint of tonic water and long fresh quartz-like acidity. Wonderful volume and mineral length; the fruit density offsetting the lowish alcohol beautifully. This has all the hallmarks of a classic bottling. Delicious to drink now, but bottle age complexity beckons. Drink now – or keep for as long as you like (2045+) 11% alc 97 points
2024 Henschke Peggy’s Hill Riesling, Eden Valley – South Australia
Pale colour. Fragrant bitter lemon, hint grapefruit aromas with herb oil notes. Fresh lemon, lime, grapefruit flavours, fine loose knit bitter textures, attractive mid palate volume and fresh long crunchy mouthwatering acidity. Finishes bittersweet. Textural and high tensile with very good density and flow. Could benefit from a few years of bottle age. Drink now – or keep for a while (2034+). 11.5% alc 93 points
2021 Henschke Keyneton Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Merlot, Barossa – South Australia
Medium deep crimson. Pure dark cherry, hint marzipan aromas with aniseed, herb garden notes. Minerally and loose knit in structure with pure cherry, blackberry pastille fruits, fine chalky/ graphite textures, lovely mid packet volume and fresh quartz acidity. Supple lacy finish with vanilla marzipan notes. The soupçon of new oak gives an extra level of complexity. Really delicious and satisfying wine. 63% Shiraz 29% Cabernet Sauvignon 5% Cabernet Franc 3% Merlot. 18 months maturation in 11% new and 89% seasoned oak hogsheads (82% French/18% American) Drink now – 2034 14.5% alc 96 points
2023 Henschke Five Schillings Shiraz Mataro, Barossa – South Australia
Medium deep crimson. Fresh dark cherry, elderberry, plum, black olive, amazing graphite, herb garden notes. Dark elderberry, black cherry, chinotto, black olive fruits, lead pencil notes, fine slinky tannins and well balanced crunchy acidity. Some al dente textures at the finish. Attractive inky density and juicy dark berry fruits. Ready to drink but should further harmonise over the next few years, 75% Shiraz 25% Mataro. 10 months maturation in 3% new French oak and 97% season oak hogsheads. Drink now – 2028 + 14.5% alc 93+ points
2023 Henschke Henry’s Seven Dry Red Blend, Barossa – South Australia
Deep crimson. Fresh elderberry, raspberry apricot aromas with only herb garden notes. Richly concentrated and slinky textured with ample dark berry, stone fruit flavours fine supple tannins, underlying savoury notes and long fresh crisp acidity. Matured in primarily 5% new French and seasoned oak. 81% Shiraz 11% Grenache, 6% Mataro, 2% Viognier. Medium term wine but ready to drink now. Drink now – 2031+ 14.5% alc 92 points
