Henschke

Written By Angus Hughson

2025 Henschke Release

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 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.

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

2021 Henschke The Wheelwright Shiraz, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium deep crimson, Intense blackberry, dark chocolate herb garden aromas with mocha, vanilla notes. Smooth, dense and compact with abundant blackberry, praline flavours, well balanced espresso, marzipan notes, attractive mid-palate viscosity and plentiful fine bittersweet, touch ferruginous tannins. Finishes firm and tight with persistent dark berry/ brambly/ liquorice notes. A distinctive, sturdy and elemental Eden Valley Shiraz that should unfold with further cellaring. 14% alc Drink 2028 -2045 96 points

18 months maturation in 10% new and 90% seasoned (82% French and 18% American) oak hogsheads.

2024 Henschke Release

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

2024 Henschke single vineyard Release

2019 Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz, Eden Valley – South Australia

Deep crimson. Beautiful cassis, blackberry pastille, roasted chestnut, espresso, herb garden, star anise aromas. Silky smooth and inky textured wine with ample blackcurrant, blackberry pastille fruits, fine loose knit graphite tannins, crunchy fresh acidity and beautifully balanced mocha, roasted chestnut, hazelnut nougat, dark chocolate notes. A lovely chalky bitter-sweet finish with a fine tannin plume. Saturated and buoyant with superb mineral length. Atypical for Hill of Grace but I suspect bottle age will haul it back into line. A fascinating vintage and a beautifully made wine. Drink now – 2038+ 14.5% alc 97+ points

2019 Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium deep crimson. Fragrant blackberry pastille, raspberry, praline, hint marzipan aromas with sage/ bush garrigue notes. Supple and minerally with fresh pure blackberry, raspberry fruits, fine slinky / chalky textures, well integrated marzipan, roasted chestnut characters, attractive inky complexity and fresh long indelible acidity. Builds up brambly firm, pure and tight with star anise notes. A lovely claret style with beautiful volume and understated power. Should age very well. Henschke-embossed bottle. Vino-lok seal. Keep for a while – 2038+ 14.5% alc 98 points

2019 Henschke The Wheelwright Shiraz, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium crimson. Intense and expressive blackberry, brambly, dark chocolate aromas with graphite, herb garden nuances. Inky deep blackberry, blackcurrant, mocha, roasted chestnut chinotto flavours, lovely sinuous chocolaty textures, attractive volume and fresh well-balanced acidity. Bitter-sweet, touch ferruginous at the finish with aniseed notes. Generous, supple and chocolaty. A classical Barossa style with a hint of Eden Valley sage. Henschke-embossed bottle. Vino-lok seal. Drink now – 2034 14.5% alc 96 points

2019 Henschke Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium deepish crimson. Intense blackcurrant, dark chocolate marzipan, roasted hazelnut, aromas with fragrant bell pepper, rose garden notes. Fresh cassis, redcurrant, chinotto, praline flavours, fine supple loose knit graphite tannins and underlying roasted chestnut/ hazelnut notes. Finishes chocolaty firm with fresh long acidity. Medium powered wine with remarkably fine and ripe tannins. Delicious drinking now showing poise and balance, but should enjoy further development. Henschke-embossed bottle. Vino-lok seal. Now – 2032 14% alc 95+ points

2013 Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium deep crimson. Scented blackberry pastille, herb garden sage aromas with dark chocolate, touch tobacco leaf notes. Smooth and concentrated wine with attractive pure blackberry, mulberry, chinotto flavours, fine loose-knit chalky/ al dente textures and underlying mocha notes. Builds up powdery/ graphite firm with hints of tobacco leaf. Delicious bottle-aged wine with lovely symmetry and backbone. Henschke-embossed bottle. Vino-lok seal. Now – 2032+ 14.5% alc 97 points

2008 Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium deep crimson. Fresh blackberry pastille, espresso, roasted chestnut, vanilla, hint marzipan with wax polish, herb notes. Superbly balanced wine with deep set blackberry pastille, dark chocolate, roasted coffee flavours, fine chalky tannins and well-balanced vanilla marzipan roasted chestnut, hint coconut notes. Builds up graphite/ chocolaty firm with seductive sweet fruits and lovely mineral length. Lovely density, richness, and torque. This is in a really great place. I tasted the 2008 Hill of Grace mid-last year within the context of a vertical tasting, but here on its own it impressively evokes the essence of vineyard site and the character of the Henschke style of winemaking. Should last a great distance.  Henschke-embossed bottle. Vino-lok seal. Now – 2040 14.5 % alc 98+ points

Hill of Grace – Celebrating 60 Years

The 60th anniversary release of Henschke Hill of Grace was marked with a wonderful tasting of vintages going back to the first in 1958. These moments were a cause for reflection as the vineyard has become one of the foundations of Australia’s modern fine wine narrative. Although Hill of Grace was in the shadow of Penfolds Grange during the 1960s and 1970s, its stature and historical relevance became better understood during the 1980s. A combination of brilliant vineyard husbandry and technical winemaking skills brought the vineyard into sharper relief. On the other hand a succession of very fine older vintages is proof that the vineyard itself was well cared for and the more rudimentary winemaking of Cyril Henschke was completely aligned with the times.

The 1958 Vintage was a surprising revelation and perhaps proved that good bottles and well preserved wines are also a result of some luck too. The story of Hill of Grace, however, must also include the practical work in generating more market interest during the mid-to-late 1980s. Wine merchants Arch Baker in addition to Judy and Rob Hirst did much to put the Henschke brand on the map. This was echoed by the rising interest in the secondary wine market when auction prices doubled in 1995 and then doubled again in 1996 (after an internal recorking programme in 1994).

Of particular note, is the development of style and the singularity of Hill of Grace Shiraz over the decades. The 1950s and early 1960s start off being softer in texture, then more vigorous and claret like during the 1970s and 1980s. By the early-to-mid 1990s Hill of Grace becomes more reflective of the vintage, the vineyard and nature. Prue and Stephen Henschke are first scientists, but their pursuit of excellence and for the long term survival of their vineyard has changed their outlook. A willingness to accept that not all things can be explained has also led to a more philosophical way of looking after the vines and making the wines. Hill of Grace Shiraz cannot really be defined as a style. The transparency and character of the vineyard are the most obvious features each year. The ‘terroir’ is the defining factor!

‘The influence of the moon cycles has been an important and familiar feature in the operation of the Henschke vineyards. Mysteriously the Hill of Grace vines, whether the vintage arrives early or late, are ready to harvest close to the full moon after the Autumn equinox (Easter). Decades of vintages have shown that this is the optimal time in the moon cycle for harvest. Curiously, by the calendar, the date of Easter can vary by up to thirty-five days.’ Stephen Henschke in ‘The story of a single vineyard’ by Fiona McDonald.

The Henschke shiraz inheritance and the restorative work in their vineyards by Prue Henschke and her team underpin the significance of both Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone — both remarkable outposts of colonial vine-stock shiraz. The move to organic and biodynamic viticulture and ecological practices bring a spirit of intent, based on the belief that survival and prosperity depends on giving more back to the land than is taken out.  Henschke winemaking practices developed from the very early Barossa methods - including open fermentation - and further progressed with the enlightened imagination of Cyril Henschke (from the 1950s to the 1970s) and the technical brilliance of Stephen Henschke (from the early 1980s onwards) referencing both of these heritage vineyards into the Barossa vernacular. Mount Edelstone and Hill of Grace share the same nurture and love. Essentially, they are kindred souls with similar regional definition, structural elements and taste.

‘I think Hill of Grace has become the more famous of the two vineyards because the ‘terroir’ threads the past, the present and the future, with a profound spirit of romance and nostalgia. The 19th century legacy, the visual connection between Gnadenberg Church and wine, and the ‘future-proofing’ of old vines, are highly symbolic. The beautiful Hill of Grace moniker, coined by Cyril Henschke in the late 1950s, powerfully evokes the timeless spirit of the Henschke family, the character of the wine and the voice of the Barossa. Ascendant and transcendent are words that come to mind.’

Technical Data

Vineyard Location: Eden Valley wine region, 4km north-west of Henschke Cellars at Keyneton, in the Mount Lofty Ranges east of the Barossa Valley, South Australia.

Average Yield: 2.5t/ha (1t/acre)

Trellis: Two wire vertical, single wire at 70cm, Scott Henry.

Planting: Wide planting 3.1m x 3.4m. Most are planted east-west, some north-south, dry grown.

Treatments: Undervine mulching and permanent sward incorporating organic and biodynamic practices.

Rainfall: 520 mm

Altitude: 400 m

Latitude: 34°30’

Longitude: 139°07’

1958 Henschke Hill of Grace, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium colour. Lovely developed apricot, wax polish, hint chinotto aromas with hints of praline/ graphite. Fresh apricot, wax polish, chinotto flavours, fine looseknit chalky tannins, attractive inky notes and fresh long mineral acidity. Light tannin plume at the finish. Gorgeous old wine with earthy notes. Shows the natural power of the vineyard. Drink now – soon 98 points

1961 Henschke Hill of Grace, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium colour. Fresh developed crème brulée, hint marzipan, polished leather, wood varnish, hint cork wood aromas. Well concentrated slightly cork wood flavoured with developed red berry, earthy, marzipan, milk chocolate flavours, fine slinky, hint al dente textures, attractive mid palate viscosity and fresh integrated mineral torque. Finishes chalky and long. Still drinking well. Drink now- soon 94 points

1962 Henschke Hill of Grace, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium crimson. Intense roasted coffee, dark chocolate, wax polish aromas with hints of dark fruits and leather. Generous and buoyant with fresh espresso, dark chocolate, dark berry fruits, fine slinky firm tannins, very good mid palate viscosity and fresh long acidity. Finishes lacy firm with dried apricot, dried plum notes. Still lovely to drink with animated vigour and lovely mineral length. Drink now – will keep for awhile. 13.5% alc 96 points

1966 Henschke Hill of Grace, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium crimson. Developed red cherry stone, graphite, chinotto aromas with lifted wax polish, touch varnishy/ shellac notes. Minerally and varnishy on the palate with tawny port like notes fine bitter-sweet tannins, attractive mid palate volume and well balanced acidity. Varnishy finish. Still holding on by its fingernails. Drink up 91 points

1968 Henschke Hill of Grace, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium crimson. Fragrant roasted walnut, hint shellac notes with remnants of red cherries, dried apricots and prunes. Sweet fruited and buoyant wine with roasted walnut, graphite, hint leather notes, fine looseknit chalky tannins, very attractive mid palate viscosity and perfectly integrated acidity. Not a great year, but a very good old bottle. Drink up 94 points

1972 Henschke Hill of Grace, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium crimson. Roasted coffee, graphite aromas with chinotto, touch lifted notes. Well concentrated roasted coffee, graphite, hint meaty, apricot flavours, fine chalky silky textures, lovely density and underlying wax polish notes. Finishes firm and minerally, and a touch saline. Attractive gentle vigour and richness of flavour. Drink now 95 points

1973 Henschke Hill of Grace, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium crimson. Leathery apricot, raspberry, dark chocolate aromas. Generously concentrated wine with roasted walnut, wax polish, redcurrant, raspberry flavours, fine loose knit slinky/ touch al dente tannins. Sturdy finish. Still drinking well with sweet and savoury notes with hints of primary fruit in the background. Drink now – soon 94 points

1978 Henschke Hill of Grace, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium crimson. Intense and complex wine with roasted chestnut, roasted walnut, hint panforte. Generously concentrated and sturdy wine with fresh roasted walnut apricot, minerally flavour, a hint of soy, fine chalky firm tannins, very good mid-palate buoyancy and well-integrated acidity. Feathery firm finish. 12.5% alc Drink now – keep for a while 95 points

1982 Henschke Hill of Grace, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium deep crimson. Intense coffee, wax polish, roasted walnut, apricot, redcurrant, hint marzipan aromas. Richly concentrated wine with ample roasted coffee, roasted walnut, red and black berry flavours, fine grainy tannins, very good volume, underlying savoury notes and refreshing long mineral acidity. 13% alc Drink now 95 points

1984 Henschke Hill of Grace, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium deep crimson. Intense roasted chestnut, roasted walnut, espresso hint rum and raisin notes. Generous and slinky textured wine with developed leather, redcurrant flavours, fine grainy tannins, some tawny, soy notes, a hint of garrigue and noticeable American oak. A touch disjointed.  12% alc  Drink now – keep for a while 90 points

1986 Henschke Hill of Grace, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium deep crimson. Beautiful wine with intense roasted walnut, blackberry pastille, graphite aromas with hints of marzipan. Well concentrated and classical in structure with lovely developed blackberry, roasted walnut, roasted almond flavours, fine grainy claret-like structure and underlying savoury notes. Finishes firm with ample fruit complexity and mineral length. Lovely modulated power and elegance. 12.5% alc Drink now – 2030+ 99 points 

1988 Henschke Hill of Grace, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium crimson. Fresh developed stonefruit, strawberry, redcurrant and marzipan with herb, sage notes. Medium bodied wine with lovely strawberry, blackberry fruits, fine looseknit chalky tannins, attractive mid palate volume and well-integrated acidity. A touch atypical but delicious to drink. 13% alc Drink now – 2028 95 points

1990 Henschke Hill of Grace, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium deep crimson. Developed blackberry pastille, marzipan, hint flyspray, sage aromas with tawny notes. Well concentrated but developed with blackberry, redcurrant fruits, fine grainy al dente tannins, and underlying marzipan, roasted walnut notes. Finishes firm and minerally - a claret style and moving towards modernity. Drink now – 2030 13.5% alc 94 points

1991 Henschke Hill of Grace, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium deep crimson. Lovely roasted walnut, blackberry, espresso, mocha aromas with sage like notes. Well concentrated and inky wine with ample blackberry, roasted walnut, toasty flavours fine grainy, hint al dente textures and underlying mocha, mazipan notes. In beautiful condition. Drink now – 2035 13.5% alc 98 points

1992 Henschke Hill of Grace, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium deep crimson. Intense blackberry, roasted chestnut, marzipan aromas with herb garden notes. Lovely blackberry, roasted chestnut marzipan flavours, fine slinky tannins, very good volume and mineral length. Finishes chocolate firm. Quite robust in this company. Drink now – 2030 14.1% alc 94 points

1996 Henschke Hill of Grace, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium deep crimson. Fresh blackberry pastille, chinotto aromas with marzipan, minty aromas with hints of leather. Generously concentrated wine with ample blackberry, mulberry fruits, fine grainy, hint leafy tannins and underlying marzipan, roasted chestnut, leather and spice notes. Drink now – 2030+ 13.8% alc 96 points

2002 Henschke Hill of Grace, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium deep crimson. Blackberry pastille, mulberry, mocha aromas with bush garrigue, sage notes. Very modern wine with fresh blackberry, mulberry fruits, fine looseknit chocolaty tannins, underlying mocha, vanilla notes and a hint of musky, parma violets. Finishes firm and minerally - very buoyant and expressive. Drink now – 2038 14.5% alc  95 points

2004 Henschke Hill of Grace, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium deep crimson. Beautifully expressive wine with lifted blackberry, mocha sage aromas with hints of apricot. Lovely concentrated and balanced wine with fresh blackberry pastille, praline, mocha flavours, a hint of beef extract, fine loose knit grainy tannins and underlying herb garden sage notes. Finishes peppery and minerally - a superb, complex wine. Drink now – 2040 14% alc 99 points

2005 Henschke Hill of Grace, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium deep crimson. Dark cherry, chinotto, mocha, hint vanilla aromas with herb garden notes. Well concentrated wine with blackberry pastille, dark cherry, hint mint/ sage flavours, fine slinky firm/ vigorous tannins and well-balanced mocha vanilla, marzipan notes. Finishes firm and surprisingly tight with hints of aniseed - a sturdy vintage. Drink now – 2035 14.5% alc 93 points

2006 Henschke Hill of Grace, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium deep crimson. Intense blackberry, spice, praline, roasted chestnut, hint vanilla aromas. Inky deep wine with ample blackberry, roasted walnut, mocha flavours, fine loose knit chalky/ savoury tannins and some graphite notes. Finishes al dente firm with oaky notes. Still in evolution and best to keep. Drink now – 2040 14.5% alc **94+ points

2008 Henschke Hill of Grace, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium deep crimson. Intense blackberry pastille, mulberry, dark chocolate aromas with herb garden notes. Richly flavoured wine with deep set blackberry pastille, mulberry, hint chinotto flavours, fine slinky firm textures, lovely mid palate richness/ volume and beautifully integrated mocha roasted chestnut notes. Finishes chocolaty with seductive black fruits and superb mineral length. Drink now – 2040 14.5% alc 97 points

2010 Henschke Hill of Grace, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium deep crimson. Classical blackberry, sage aromas with underlying mocha notes. Superbly balanced wine with pure blackberry pastille, sage, herb garden flavours, a touch of spice, fine lacy tannins, superb mid palate viscosity and underlying roasted chestnut notes. Finishes chalky firm, a touch peppery and long. A brilliant wine with great resonance of place. Drink now – 2045 14.5% alc 100 points

2012 Henschke Hill of Grace, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium deep crimson. Intense blackberry, graphite aromas with hints of mocha and vanilla. Voluminous wine with ample blackberry, mulberry fruits, fine chocolaty hint bitter tannins, very good volume, richness and underlying mocha/ vanilla oak. Finishes chocolaty firm and minerally. Another sturdy finish. Drink 2024 – 2035 14.5% 94 points

2015 Henschke Hill of Grace, Eden Valley – South Australia

Medium deep crimson. Fresh blackberry hedgerow aromas with vanilla sage notes. Slinky textured wine with blackberry herb garden flavours, fine loose knit touch brambly tannins and some vanilla mocha notes witha hint of pondwater. Finishes chalky with graphite notes. Very pretty and expressive vintage, but has become a little shy. Drink 2026 – 2048 14.5% alc 96 points

2016 Henschke Hill of Grace, Eden Valley – South Australia

Deep crimson. Intense blackberry mulberry, hint roasted chestnut aromas with sage notes. Intensely concentrated blackberry pastille, mulberry chinotto fruits, fine loose knit chalky al dente tannins, superb mid-palate volume and well-integrated mocha roasted chestnut oak notes. Lovely richness, volume and fruit complexity. 14.5% alc Drink 2028 – 2048+ 97 points

2018 Henschke Hill of Grace, Eden Valley – South Australia

Deep crimson. Fresh blackberry pastille, mulberry elderberry chinotto aromas with mocha, roasted chestnut aged notes with dried roses, sage herb garden complexity. Beautifully balanced with voluminous blackberry, mulberry, elderberry roasted chestnut flavours, lovely fine grained and loose knit tannins, superb volume, and integrated acidity. Finishes firm and minerally long. A superb young wine that is destined to become a classic vintage.  Drink 2028 - 2045 14.5% alc 100 points

Angus Hughson
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