Head Wines Wilton Hill Shiraz 2022
G 96
The Wilton Hill vineyard in Eden Valley was planted at an altitude of 480 metres back in 1965. Alex uses partial whole bunch fermentation. This wine represents just 0.5% of his total production, so you can be pretty certain that his top fruit is destined for here and the result is a cracker, a wine worthy of the title of Barossa icon. From a top vintage, only 576 bottles were made. Under Diam. The colour is an inky dark maroon with a garnet rim. Still very young, we have notes of chocolate, tobacco leaves, smoked meats, sage, black fruits, coffee beans, beef stock, liquorice and a touch of graphite. The oak integration is exemplary. Structure is immaculate with a silky texture and serious length; this is finely balanced with cushiony tannins. Love it. This wine should provide immense pleasure for the next fifteen-plus years and continue to improve even further over that period. Drink now–2040+ Henschke The Wheelwright Shiraz 2021 G 96 Medium-deep crimson, Intense blackberry, dark chocolate herbgarden 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 Henschke Keyneton Euphonium Dry Red Blend 2022 G 96 Medium-deep crimson. Fresh raspberry pastille, dark chocolate, roasted chestnut aromas with brambly notes. Gentle pure raspberry, redcurrant, 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 Hentley Farm The Beauty Shiraz 2023 G 96 Deep crimson. Fresh blackberry, hint stone fruit aromas with mocha, hint shellac notes. Richly concentrated with ample blackberry, dark chocolate flavours, firm chocolaty textures and underlying wax polish, roasted chestnut notes. Finsishes Claret-firm and tight, Sculptured and high tensile with superb definition and torque. A stallion rather than a show pony. Drink 2028–2042
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The Vintage Journal
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