Today we share one of the great Aussie producers known for world-class Shiraz. A winery with serious history, Henschke has been making wines for over 150 years. Now in its sixth generation, Henschke sources from outstanding sites in Eden Valley, Barossa Valley and the Adelaide Hills. Vineyard manager Prue Henschke takes on 105 hectares of vineyards, spanning from Eden Valley to Lenswood in the Adelaide Hills wine region. Stephen and Prue Henschke produce wines that show great flavor density and balance. Their ‘Hill of Grace’ is one of the famed wines of Australia. While I did not taste that wine, I had a chance to review their exceptional portfolio of wines. Each showed great terroir and balance.
The new wines by Henschke were really outstanding. I adored the new 2022 Henschke ‘Julius’ Riesling (OB, 92) which is bone dry and filled with beautiful tension. Even better is the stunning 2017 Henschke ‘Mount Edelstone’ Shiraz (OB, 96) which is super heady and delicious stuff that has both the weight and finesse to cellar well for another twenty years to come. Learn more about these beautiful wines at https://www.henschke.com.au/ and here are my reviews of the new Henschke releases.
2022 Henschke ‘Julius’ Riesling- This 2022 Riesling comes from an Eden Valley site set on sandy loam over gravel and bedrock with patches of clay. The wine is named after ancestor Julius Henschke, who made his mark as an acclaimed artist and sculptor. A whiff of petrol grips you immediately in this bone-dry bottling. Bright green apple and green papaya notes combine with wet stone and nutty accents on the palate. Complex and delicious, enjoy this now and over the next few years. Drink 2023-2028- 92
2020 Henschke ‘Johann’s Garden’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Johann’s Garden’ combines 80% Grenache with the remainder Mataro. The wine is a tribute to early Silesian pioneers of the Barossa, many of whom carried the first name of Johann, as vines for this wine are 70 or more years old. Rich and heady on the mouth, this shows beautiful poise with pretty guava, cranberry and ripe raspberry notes, with scorched earth and suggestions of white pepper. Complex and delicious, enjoy this fantastic new bottling now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2023-2031- 94
2020 Henschke ‘Marble Angel Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2020 Henschke ‘Marble Angel Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Barossa Valley and was stored in large French oak (14% new) for 18 months prior to bottling. This is dense and delicious Cabernet with sagebrush and crushed mint aromas that combine with cassis, and shades of black licorice. Very seamless on the mouth, this shows good length and viscosity. Drink 2023-2033- 93
2018 Henschke ‘Keymeton Euphorium’ Red Wine- The 2018 ‘Keymeton Euphorium’ Red Wine combines mostly Shiraz (65%) with smaller portions Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and a dash of Merlot. This wine was stored in only 20% new French oak barrels before bottling as all varietals were sourced from sites in the Eden and Barossa Valleys. This displays concentrated dark fruit flavors alongside tobacco leaf, anise, black currant cordial and suggestions of coffee grounds. Everything is in beautiful balance here. Drink 2023-2035- 94
2020 Henschke ‘Tappa Pass’ Shiraz- The 2020 ‘Tappa Pass’ comes from 70 year old Shiraz vines that were grown in the Barossa Valley. Aged in 25% new large format oak barrels for 18 months before bottling, this beautiful Shiraz revels in its dense concentration and pillowy texture. Heady its dark currant, boysenberry and mocha profile, yet showing beautiful underlying finesse, this beautiful wine is absolutely singing its high octave right now. Drink 2023-2033- 94
2017 Henschke ‘Mount Edelstone’ Shiraz- The Mount Edelstone vineyard was planted by Ronald Angas back in 1912. This was first bottled as a single-vineyard wine in 1952. Stored in a combination of French and American oak for 18 months before bottling, this offers heady dark currant, black olive and menthol flavors alongside great underlying verve and an incredibly long finish. Complex and delicious with its stony and smoky undercurrents, and outstanding finesse this beautiful wine will easily live on for another fifteen to twenty years to come. Drink 2023-2038- 96