Tasting Notes
Shiraz and Blends Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz 2015
G 100
Medium-deep crimson. Evocative, complex and beautiful sage herb garden, red cherry, mulberry aromas with espresso mocha, sesame and wild floral notes. Inky textured and pure with fresh red cherry, mulberry, blackberry fruits, fine supple silky sweet tannins, superb mid-palate viscosity and underlying roasted chestnut, mocha, vanilla oak notes. Finishes minerally long with persistent sweet fruits and a slight kick of aniseed. Gorgeous wine with a very strong sense of place. Drink 2042–2042+ Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz 2016 G 99 Medium-deep crimson. Intense and fragrant blackberry pastille, dark plum, herb garden, sage aromas, underlying vanilla, roasted chestnut notes and hints of star anise. Complex and pure-fruited with blackberry, dark plum, mulberry flavours, integrated vanilla, roasted chestnut (oak) notes, some chinotto nuances and fine supple and vigorous velvetine/ al dente tannins, lovely buoyancy/mid-palate viscosity and fresh long mineral acidity. Finishes claret-firm with plentiful sweet and savoury notes. A seductive yet elegant wine with superb vinosity, complexity and resonance. Unmistakably Hill of Grace. A beautiful “sotto-voce” vintage. Drink 2024–2040+ Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz 2017 G 98 Medium-deep crimson. Intense blackberry, cassis, roasted coffee, sage aromas with vanilla, roasted chestnut, panforte star anise. Amazingly complex wine with pure blackberry, blackcurrant, espresso, hint of peppery flavours, fine loose-knit chalky al dente tannins and mocha, vanilla crème brûlée oak. Finishes grainy al dente firm with lovely pastille fruits. 18 months maturation in 25% new & 75% seasoned (89% French, 11% American) oak hogsheads. Drink 2025–2042 Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz 2016 G 98 Deep crimson. Classical blackberry, dark chocolate aromas with roasted hazelnut/ chestnut, sage, almost light minty notes. Well concentrated and generous with pure blackberry, mulberry, praline flavours, roasted chestnut, vanilla oak notes, inky-deep richness and persistent chocolaty, touch al dente tannins. Finishes chocolaty firm with chinotto bittersweet notes. A voluminous wine superb density and vigour and showing all the hallmarks of a great Eden Valley vineyard and intuitive winemaking. More powerful and concentrated than Hill of Grace, but beautifully balanced. The perfect alter ego. Drink 2025–2045
46 The Wine Journal – 2023
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