Yan Gagnon

9.3

Assemblage de Shiraz, de Merlot, de Cabernet Sauvignon et Franc provenant de vielles vignes de la Barossa. Super nez de fruits noirs, tabac, cuir qui s'ouvre avec un peu de temps. La bouche est suave, avec des tanins souples. La finale est longue et savoureuse. Hill of grace ! Un jour. — 3 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

The final few wines from the Henschke weekend at Spicers Peak Lodge. The Wheelwright Vineyard was planted in 1968 in the Eden Valley by Cyril Henschke. Has the same Sage and Pepper characters similar to Mount Edelstone and Hill of Grace. Crushed herb characters and red fruit. Full bodied and promising a long cellar life. HH says to 2036. The wines name pays tribute to the founder, Johann Christian Henschke who established the family winery in 1868. He arrived as a skilled stonemason and wheelwright. — 2 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

The quality of these many and varied Henschke cuvées never ceases to amaze. Just brief notes - not as much spice as Mount Edelstone and Hill of Grace. This is from the Barossa and provides a point of difference to their big guns in the Eden Valley. A more full bodied palate showing black and blue fruits and liquorice - not so much the sage and black pepper that shows on their Eden Valley reds. — 2 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.7

Mount Edelstone is Stephen’s favourite Henschke vineyard - planted in 1912 by Colin Angas and sold to Cyril Henschke in 1974. I have 7 vintages of Mt Edelstone in my home cellar but somehow missed the 2013 so I bought a bottle -released from the Henschke museum. This was absolutely delicious and early in its drinking window is to 2045+. Chosen for the masterclass to taste beside the current release 2019 as they were both from drought years. A beautiful fragrant perfume. Black pepper, sage, spice and plum pudding. First released at 6 years of age. A brilliant wine. Particularly loved by my wife Barb. — 2 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.7

This is the current release of Hill of Grace, the 2019, priced at $975AUD and incredibly Sold Out according to the website. Matched with the 2008 as both were from hot years. Initially a sooty, minerally earthy note on the nose. Then came Satuma Plum, blackberry, spice and pepper. Stephen said only 25% to 30% of the normal volume for sale. (Hence the Sold Out). He let us in on a secret that there will be no 2020 released. I asked if the fruit is used in another Cuvée. The answer is No - the grapes are removed and thrown out. Seems a waste. He went on to explain that H of G has a different spice character to Edelstone - more of an Asian spice. Mostly used oak is used to lessen the oak influence. Elegant yet intense and without a doubt one of the world’s great wines. Will live for decades. — 2 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Sometimes good to have these “noble”stickies a little on the youthful side. Vibrant and fresh with intense flavours of marmalade, peach, apricot and honeycomb. Delicious with the milk parfait, wild raspberries and rhubarb. That finishes off a sensational weekend tasting. Keeps my record intact of never having a bad Henschke wine. Most of these were world class. — 2 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Still trying to catch up with all of the Henschke wines we tasted a week ago at Spicer’s Peak Lodge. This was a classic Eden Valley Riesling from Henschke’s own Eden Valley vineyard. Aromatics of Lime and talc with a note of jasmine. Stephen again emphasised the quality of the 2023 vintage. Cyril was instrumental in developing the Henschke Riesling vineyards back in the 1950’s. — 2 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.9

This is Stephen Henschke’s favourite vintage of H of G he said. This was the first vintage he bottled under screw cap and all subsequent vintages have been bottled that way. They have also experimented with the Vinolok glass stopper. As Stephen said “I love tradition and it is very important as a 6th generation family owned winery. However when tradition lets you down as it has with cork, there is time to evaluate better closures. “ He went on to say the 2002 has that distinctive Hill of Grace nose which you can’t define but it does have the trademark mint, spice and sage. The palate is profoundly intense and could go on for another 10 years but flirting with perfection right now. — 2 months ago

KA

8.9

Tamarind London — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

One doesn’t think of Henschke and outstanding Pinot Noir - at least I didn’t, until I tasted this 2006 from their Lenswood vineyard in the Adelaide Hills. Red cherry and quite luscious on the mid palate. This wine was doing it easily at 18 years of age. Not sure why they don’t concentrate on this more? Perhaps most of their good Pinot material goes into their sparkling wines. — 2 months ago