Henschke Louis Semillon 2023
G 95
Pale colour. Expressive lemongrass, pine-lime, herbal and grassy aromas. Fresh cutting acidity, impressive mid-palate volume in a beautifully balanced package. Lovely fruit definition and impact, finishes chalky and long. A wine with promising longevity; keep for a while to build complexity and weight. 11% alc Drink now–2040 Hentley Farm The Beast Shiraz 2022 G 95 A deeply flavoured Shiraz from the Seppeltsfield Vineyard (specifically, D Block), which sees 22 months maturation in French oak, 60% of which is new. Under cork. An opaque purple/maroon. There is serious power and intensity here, with notes of blackcurrants, chocolate, tar, cassis, mocha, soy, roadworks, coffee grinds, beef stock, black fruits and axle grease. What is most obvious is the real concentration here, but it is so well balanced that the wine just flows. There is early complexity evident, as well as fine and yet firm tannins and great length. Put this gem away for five years and then drink it for the next decade. Drink now–2034 Hentley Farm Clos Otto Shiraz 2021 G 95 Deep crimson. Intense bouquet of vanillin, nutmeg, toast, blackberry pie. Big, rich and full-bodied, offering huge concentration of blackberry alongside toasty vanillin accents. Well balanced with plentiful ripe slightly chalky tannins leading to a long finish. Has all the goods and will no doubt reveal more with time in the cellar. Drink now–2044 14.8% alc Hentley Farm The Beauty Shiraz 2022 G 95 Deep crimson. Intense blackberry, dark chocolate aromas with roasted walnut, liquorice notes. Richly concentrated and voluminous with ample blackberry pastille, praline flavours, fine chocolaty tannins and well-balanced new oak notes. Chocolaty firm finish with seductive dark berry fruits. Bottle age will see this develop into a classical Barossa Shiraz. Drink 2025–2036 14.8% alc Hewitson Ungrafted Shiraz 2022 G 95 From old dry-grown vines, fermentation was over a 3-week period before maturation takes place in older French oak barriques for 15 months. Deep dense maroon, the nose exhibits notes of spices, cocoa powder, soy, aniseed, tobacco leaves, mocha, chocolate and black fruits. Just a hint of a briary note – have they incorporated a tiny amount of whole bunch fermentation? Displaying a silky palate with focus and finesse, the wine has fine balance and a long, lingering finish, with satiny tannins. This is a 15-year proposition. Drink now–2039
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The Vintage Journal – Regional Focus
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