Henschke is best known for its profoundly impactful Eden Valley reds. Hill of Grace Shiraz, Mount Edelstone Shiraz and Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon rarely, if ever, disappoint. The attention to detail in the vineyards and winery are legendary. Behind the scenes is an exceptional team that support Prue, Stephen and family. Gwyn Olsen in more recent years has stepped in to work as senior winemaker and these wine releases show some very fine handiwork, highlighting a very collaborative culture.
It is heartening and wonderful to see the 2025 Lenswood Vineyard releases this year. The infamous Cudlee Creek bushfire (December 2019) cut a swathe through the vineyard and caused widespread devastation and heartbreak. It has taken years of investment, patience and restoration work to reach this point; a reflection of true resilience, family connection and purpose. The standout Green’s Hill Riesling is an excellent foil to the classical and delicious Julius Riesling from the Eden Valley. Joseph Hill Gewürztraminer is a lovely example of the variety and the Grüner Veltliner is a work in progress, but delicious all the same.
The attention to detail in the vineyards and winery are legendary.
2025 was a challenging year and when reading the vintage description, it might suggest that it was an average vintage. Dry conditions prevailed between September and April. A widespread frost in September reduced yields, but many vignerons were surprised by the fruitfulness of the secondary buds.
Ultimately 2025 highlighted a differential in riesling styles, much a reflection of vineyard sites and winemaking management. Eden Valley’s Julius is a pure thoroughbred this year while Peggy’s Hill is all texture and torque. Green’s Hill is buoyant and refined with lovely freshness and intensity. An underlying house style of fruit definition, clarity and mineral length are a common thread.
One of the highlights is 2022 The Rose Grower Nebbiolo which is an attractive expression of the variety and shows its exemplary potential in the Eden Valley. It is difficult to predict its cellaring potential, but it is a wonderful wine to enjoy now.
Henschke’s portfolio of releases are wide and varied reflecting a multi-generational and forward outlook towards farming and winemaking. May it long continue.
2025 Henschke Julius Riesling, Eden Valley – South Australia
Pale colour. Pure lemon curd, tonic water aromas with hints of verbena. Generous lemon curd, lime, verbena flavours, fine chalky textures, attractive mid-palate volume and fresh long indelible/ crunchy acidity. Lovely mineral length. Tightly structured and generously flavoured. Delicious drinking but keep for a while to allow the elements to fold and develop. Drink now – 2038 11.7% alc 96 points
2025 Henschke Peggy’s Hill Riesling, Eden Valley – South Australia
Pale colour. Intense lemon, grapefruit, quartz-like aromas with lifted green apple/ pearskin notes. Slinky textured and pure with ample bitter lemon, grapefruit flavours, al dente/ bittersweet textures and fresh long minerally acidity. Al dente and crisp with very good flow and torque. Drink now – 2032 11.7% alc 93 points
2025 Henschke Green’s Hill Riesling, Lenswood Vineyard, Adelaide Hills – South Australia
Pale colour. Perfumed green apple, lime aromas with bitter lemon, camomile notes. Supple and sweet fruited with ample lemon curd, lime juice, apple fruits, fine looseknit lacy/ al dente textures, some mid palate viscosity and underlying minerally/ steely notes. Finishes bittersweet with very good mineral length. Buoyant and refined with very attractive pure fruit definition. Drink now – 2035 13% alc 95 points
2025 Henschke Percival’s Mill Grüner Veltliner, Lenswood Vineyard, Adelaide Hills – South Australia
Pale colour. Pear, orange blossom, hint allspice aromas. Minerally wine with plentiful pear, lemon curd, hint orange flavours, chalky/ powdery textures and fresh long saline acidity. Lightly grippy/ puckering, crunchy and mouthwatering at the finish with hints of herbs. Drink now – 2030 13% alc 94 points
2025 Henschke Joseph Hill Gewürztraminer, Lenswood Vineyard, Adelaide Hills – South Australia
Pale colour. Classical musky, lemon glacé, ginger aromas with some spicy notes. Attractive pure fruited palate with abundant limoncello, ginger flavours, peppery nuances, lovely mid palate viscosity and fresh long crisp acidity. Bittersweet notes extend the finish. A beautiful reference style. Best for early drinking to enjoy the youthful and exuberant fruit. Drink now – 2032 13.5% alc 96 points
2022 Henschke The Rose Grower Nebbiolo, Eden Valley – South Australia
Medium pale crimson. Dried roses, strawberries, red cherries and orange peel with hints of chinotto. Supple and silky textured with lovely complex strawberry pastille, candied red cherry, touch cola/ chinotto/ orange flavours, lovely lacy firm tannins, superb mid-plate viscosity and underlying mineral acidity. Finishes long and minerally with seductive and complex sweet fruits. Really lovely to drink now but should keep. Drink now – 2036 13% alc 96 points
2024 Henschke Roeslin Barbera, Eden Valley – South Australia
Medium deep crimson. Youthful ripe dark plum, cranberry aromas with brambly notes. Dense and chocolaty with ample musky dark plum, raspberry jam, cranberry fruits, fine slinky textures, lovely mid-palate richness and underlying juicy acidity. A bomb of juicy fruit with chalky notes at the finish. Drink now – 2032 14% alc 93 points
2024 Henschke George 5th Grenache, Barossa Valley – South Australia
Medium deep crimson. Musky plum, black olive aromas with some flinty notes. Sweet red plum, strawberry pastille, hint peppery flavours with flinty nuances, fine loose knit chalky/ light grippy textures, and underlying mineral acidity. Finishes powdery firm and long. A touch saccharin. Decant and swirl to reveal pure sweet fruits. Drink now – 2032 14.5% alc 92 points
2023 Henschke Noble Semillon, Eden Valley – South Australia
Pale colour. Expressive apricot, sweet pear, flinty / burnt match aromas with some honeyed notes. Buoyant and sweet with ample apricot, stonefruit, honey, flinty flavours, looseknit chalky textures, superb mid-palate volume/ sucrosity and long fresh mineral/ saline acidity. Some woodfire notes at the finish. Interesting to see how this develops as still in parts. Best to keep for a while. Drink now – 2038 8.5% alc 124 g/l sugar! 91 points
Henschke Johanne Ida Selma Blanc de Noir MD, Lenswood Vineyard, Adelaide Hills – South Australia
Pale colour. Expressive lemon curd, sourdough, yeasty flinty aromas with hints of marzipan. Creamy and mouth filling with attractive lemon curd, marzipan yeasty, hint crème brulée flavours, fine looseknit lacy textures, generous mid palate volume and underling quartz acidity. Complex and refreshing. A multi vintage cuvée (1999 to 2019) and sealed with crown seal. Ready to drink but should keep for a while. Drink now – 2030 12% alc 94 points
