This year’s Henschke Winery’s 2021 Vintage Single Vineyard release, brought forward by a year to make up for an historic low crop in 2020, will be remembered as one of the most spectacular in recent memory. The combination of a standout vintage, meticulous winemaking, attentive and detailed maturation has resulted in the creation of beautiful landmark wines infused with Eden Valley perfume and voice of place. ‘Described by Henschke as ‘a vintage graced by an ancient land,’ I would add ‘heaven sent’. With such tiny vintages in 2019 and 2020, an abundant high-quality crop in 2021 will no doubt be a cause for celebration. The investment in regenerative vineyard management, regardless of yields, is enormous. Henschke is a model of sustainable/ organic/ biodynamic farming and winemaking in Australia. It was also an early proponent of alternative closures. Previously sealed with the ‘vinolok’ stopper, it is great to see the 2021 Hill of Grace bottled with screwcap, perhaps a more reliable seal for the long term. The 2021 Henschke single vineyard wines are exceptional.
The 2021 Henschke single vineyard wines are exceptional.
2021 Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz, Eden Valley – South Australia
Medium deep crimson. Lovely intense raspberry, blackberry pastille, hint mocha aromas with herb garden/ sage notes. Pure and inky textured with superb raspberry pastille, blackberry fruits, persistent fine slinky/ brambly textures and underlying grilled nut, vanilla notes. Al-dente firm at the finish with persistent sweet fruit notes and a kick of aniseed. This a gorgeous reference Eden Valley Shiraz with superb fruit definition, energy and flow. 14.5% alc Drink 2027 – 2040 99 points
18 months maturation in 9% new and 91% seasoned (80% French, 20% American) oak hogsheads
2021 Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz, Eden Valley – South Australia
Medium deep crimson. Expressive raspberry, blackberry, cassis, hint elderberry/violet/ sage aromas with mocha, marzipan notes. Elegant yet powerful, dense but buoyant palate with ample blackberry pastille, blackcurrant, raspberry fruits, fine supple/ grainy tannins, lovely mid palate volume/ richness and superbly balanced grilled almond, roasted chestnut notes. Finishes claret firm with a featherweight plume of bittersweet tannins. A beguiling and lasting landmark Hill of Grace vintage with wonderful definition, vinosity and torque. 14.5% alc Drink 2028 – 2048 100 points
18 months maturation in 13% new and 87% seasoned (84% French, 16% American) oak hogsheads
2021 Henschke Hill of Roses Shiraz, Eden Valley – South Australia
Medium deep crimson. Seductive blackberry pastille, boysenberry, mocca aromas with herb garden notes. Generously concentrated palate with ample dark berry fruits, some mocha, roasted walnut complexity, fine persistent al dente brambly textures and fresh long quartz-like acidity. Finishes with a grip of firm bittersweet tannins. A muscular version of Hill of Grace with lovely polish, density and flow. Should last the distance. 14.5% alc Drink 2027 – 2040 97 points
18 months maturation in 100% seasoned French oak hogsheads
2021 Henschke Cyril Henschke Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Eden Valley –South Australia
Medium deep crimson. Fragrant cassis, dark plum, sage aromas with hint marzipan notes. Inky deep and generous with saturated blackcurrant, dark plum fruits, some attractive herbal/ sage/ bush garrigue notes, lovely mid-palate density and underlying grilled nut notes. Finishes bittersweet with persistent cassis/ graphite/ brambly notes. A lovely claret style infused with the perfume and terroir of the Eden Valley. 14.5% alc Drink 2027 – 2042 97 points
99% cabernet sauvignon 1 % merlot 18 months maturation in 8% new and 92% seasoned French oak hogsheads
2024 Henschke Innes Vineyard Pinot Gris, Adelaide Hills – South Australia
Pale colour. Fresh lemon curd, pear skin aromas with some lifted tonic water notes. Refreshing and bittersweet with ample lemon, grapefruits, pear, hint tonic water flavours, fine slinky textures, some creamy notes on the mid-palate and long crunchy acidity. Very classical in style. Arguably the South Australian reference for this variety. Best to drink early to enjoy the primary fruit. Drink now – 2028 13.5% alc 95 points
2023 Henschke Johann’s Garden Grenache Mataro, Barossa Valley – South Australia
Light to medium crimson. Attractive red plum, raspberry, roasted walnut aromas with hints of dark chocolate and herbs. Generously concentrated red plum, raspberry pastille, cola, roasted walnut, dark chocolate flavours, fine loose knit chalky al dente textures, some mid-palate viscosity and persistent crisp acidity. A touch of heat at the finish. Drink now – keep for a while. 14.5% alc 91 points
2024 Henschke Five Shillings Shiraz Mataro, Barossa – South Australia
Deep crimson. Intense blackberry, brambly aromas with hints of aniseed and bush garrigue. Buoyant, youthful and expressive with ample elderberry, blackberry pastille, dark chocolate flavours and plentiful fine chocolaty firm tannins. Finishes grippy, bittersweet and crisp but balanced by seductive purple fruits. Drinking well now but let the elements fold and settle down. Drink 2026 – 2034 14.5% alc 93+ points
2022 Henschke Keyneton Euphonium Dry Red Blend, Barossa – South Australia
Medium deep crimson. Fresh raspberry pastille, dark chocolate, roasted chestnut aromas with brambly notes. Gentle pure raspberry, red currant, mulberry fruits with underlying dark chocolate, roasted chestnut, marzipan notes, lovely mid palate volume and well-integrated fine chocolaty tannins. Finishes chocolaty and minerally with ample sweet red berry fruits and prominent taste of new French oak. Very much a signature Henschke red showing all the hallmarks of house style and meticulous blending. 59% Shiraz, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot. 60% Eden Valley 40% Barossa Valley. Maturation in 20% new French oak and 80% seasoned French and American oak hogsheads for 20 months. Drink now – 2036 14.5 % alc 96 points
2022 Henschke Marble Angel Vineyard, Barossa Valley – South Australia
Medium deep crimson. Fresh blackberry, mocha aromas with underlying marzipan, roasted walnut notes. Generous and supple with ample blackberry pastille, espresso flavours, fine loose knit chocolaty/ grainy textures, very good mid palate viscosity and well balanced roasted almond, roasted walnut notes. Builds up claret firm at the finish with bittersweet. chinotto notes. 100% 1970s-planted Marble Angel Vineyard cabernet sauvignon (Light Pass). Matured in 10% new and 90% seasoned French oak hogsheads for 20 months. Drink 2027 – 2040 14.5% alc 95 points
2022 Henschke Tappa Pass Vineyard Selection, Barossa – South Australia
Medium deep crimson. Fragrant blackberry, elderberry aromas with cedar, marzipan notes. Full bodied and expressive with abundant blackberry, black cherry, elderberry fruits, plentiful chocolaty, touch grippy tannins and underlying cedarwood, roasted almond, roasted walnut notes. Grippy/ chewy firm at the finish with bittersweet/ chinotto/ aniseed nuances. Keep for a while to allow the wine to settle. Drink 2026 – 2038 14.5% alc 94+ points
