"...truly exceptional, and is an icon of Australia for a reason...99 points." James Suckling on 2021 Hill of Grace
The latest 2021 releases from Henschke are released today, with superb scores for all three wines, ranging from 99 points for Hill of Grace to an impressive 95 points for their exceptionally good value Keyneton Euphonium.
This is the first release since the 2018 vintage, due to the impact of wildfires in 2019 and '20 which led to reductions in the size of the harvest of 70-90%. The small amount of '19 and '20 that was made will be held back as 'library stock', 2021 is a brilliant vintage and if you are not familiar with Henschke's wines, we urge you to try them.
Hill of Grace may be Australia's greatest wine, but the other bottlings from Stephen and Prue Henschke's estate are touched by the same magic, approaching it in quality, at a fraction of the price.
Henschke wines are extraordinarily long-lived and capable of adding layer after layer of complexity as they age. Stephen is a warm but cerebral man and his wines display both his personality and the old-world origins of his family (the Henschkes emigrated to Australia from German Silesia in the 1840s).
The original vines for Hill of Grace were planted around 1860, at 400 metres above sea level. The 4-hectare Hill of Grace vineyard lies opposite the beautiful Gnadenberg Lutheran Church (‘Gnadenberg’ translates to ‘Hill of Grace’ in German). Cyril Henschke made the first vintage in 1958 from handpicked grapes vinified in traditional open-top fermenters.
The current vines are now approximately 160 years old and remain the heart of Hill of Grace, along with a small selection of ungrafted Centenarians (vines over 100 years old), Survivors (vines over 70 years old) and Old Vines (over 35 years old) complete one of Australia’s most-celebrated wines. The wine was aged in oak hogsheads for 18 months, of which 20% was new and 80% seasoned (83% French and 17% American).
'Mount Edelstone' is a superb single-vineyard Shiraz, from vines first planted in 1912 in the Eden Valley. The vines are on complex soils at 400m altitude and the wine is aged for 18 months in American oak from the Appalachian Mountains.
Keyneton 'Euphonium' is named after the Barossa village of the same name. In the late 1880s the family also started a brass band here, famous for employing a special B-flat euphonium! The wine is from 50 year-old Shiraz vines in Eden Valley and Barossa, blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, aged in 85% French oak and 15% American.
2021 Hill of Grace offered on allocation. We request balanced orders for Hill of Grace with Mount Edelstone (1:1).
Offered in bond, available for delivery in June.
Producer Profile
Henschke
The original vines for Hill of Grace were planted around 1860, at 400 metres above sea level. The 4-hectare Hill of Grace vineyard lies opposite the beautiful Gnadenberg Lutheran Church (‘Gnadenberg’ translates to ‘Hill of Grace’ in German). Cyril Henschke made the first vintage in 1958 from handpicked grapes vinified in traditional open-top fermenters.
The current vines are now approximately 160 years old and remain the heart of Hill of Grace, along with a small selection of ungrafted Centenarians (vines over 100 years old), Survivors (vines over 70 years old) and Old Vines (over 35 years old) complete one of Australia’s most-celebrated wines. The wine was aged in oak hogsheads for 18 months, of which 20% was new and 80% seasoned (83% French and 17% American).
'Mount Edelstone' is a superb single-vineyard Shiraz, from vines first planted in 1912 in the Eden Valley. The vines are on complex soils at 400m altitude and the wine is aged for 18 months in American oak from the Appalachian Mountains.
| RED | 2018 | 1 case | Henschke - Hill of Grace | 75cl | £1,295 per case of 3 | Henschke Hill of Grace 2018 / 1 case / 75cl £1,295 per case of 3 |
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Tasting Notes“Tasted in two different contexts, a few hours apart: first at the end of the vertical of Hill of Grace which stretched back to the 1958; then again, as the last wine in the line-up of new 2018s (Wheelwright, Mount Edelstone, etc). Coming after a cavalcade of developed, complex previous vintages – particularly the super-dense 2016 – the 2018 seemed refreshingly ‘elegant’, spicy and bright to smell, and intense but restrained and composed in the mouth. Tasting it straight after the Hill of Roses, by contrast, made its perfume seem a touch more subdued, but made you realise how much more depth, density, richness and sheer length it has in comparison to the younger-vine Shiraz from the same site. Either way, an exceptional vintage of the HoG. 18.5 points.” Max Allen, JancisRobinson.com, Mar ‘23------“...On the nose, the 2018 vintage assists this wine in speaking clearly of its regional location: raspberry and liquorice, coal dust, black tea and tobacco leaf. There are inflections of black truffle and bone broth, which always seem to emerge, however the wine is brighter and more focused than I have seen. It offers a beautiful, svelte display of fruit and tannin, with all things in harmony in the mouth. This is very long, as we would expect from the pedigree of this wine and the vineyard. It is concentrated and intense, sinewy, elegant and powerful—a wine for the future generation. 98 points.” Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate, Apr ‘23------“The 2018 vintage coincides with 150 years of Henschke family winemaking. This is immediately juicy and forward, then it regains its composure, remembers its origins and finishes closed and firm. This is a classic 2018 with a great fruit expression, yet the incredible concentration and inbuilt density of tannins are in perfect sync. The length is impressive, and the fruit character is kept up from start to finish, and while the earth, five spice and pepper notes seem to sit back a little in the glass, they are buried in this wine. Only 20% new oak was used here; I suspect because the earth and spice notes are so prevalent in this vintage, a decision was made not to push them even harder by adding oak, and so it is a fascinatingly juicy wine. 99 points.” Matthew Jukes, Club Oenologique, Apr ‘23------“The 60th anniversary of Australia's most famous single-vineyard wine, whose oldest contributing patch – the 0.56ha Grandfathers – was planted an incredible 160 years ago. There can't be many wines whose inaugural vintage came from 100-year-old vines! As always, it's a powerful, muscular wine built for the long haul, showcasing silky but structured tannins, fresh acidity, and concentrated, complex yet graceful flavours of ripe blackberry and boysenberry, lighter red and blue fruits, earthy beetroot, peppery cured meat and an exotic, herbal incense note. Named for the Gnadenberg Lutheran church which stands opposite the vineyard, itself named for the region in Silesia from which Johann Christian Henschke emigrated in 1841. 99 points.” Tina Gellie, Decanter.com, Mar ‘23------"A superb and harmonious Hill of Grace with wonderful complexity on the nose that keeps bringing you back to the glass. Minty blueberries, red berries and some blackberries. Heather and violets with beautifully integrated spices of peppercorn and five spice. Graphite, salt chocolate and cigar box, too. Intense, lush and concentrated. This is barely full-bodied but the concentration is simply effortless and the flavors grow on the palate. Super silky and svelte tannins glide through the even and cohesive palate. Persistent finish, lasting for more than two minutes. Let it breathe if you decide to open it now, but it will sleep well in your cellar, too. 99 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2022 | Henschke - `Keyneton Euphonium` | 75cl | £180 per case of 6 | Henschke `Keyneton Euphonium` 2022 / / 75cl £180 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Medium-transparent dark garnet. Comforting nose of ripe, black fruit and pleasing composition with a little Cabernet influence. High toned, fresh, and ready to enjoy – with food. Long. Fine introduction to Henschke’s restrained but undoubtedly South Australian style. Fruit very healthy. 2026-2040. 17 points." (JR) Jancisrobinson.com------"The beautifully even and refined 2022 Keyneton Euphonium is a blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. It offers instant appeal with layers of graphite, blackberry and spice. The addition of black olive and gravel flavors continues on the same theme, delivering a fine Barossa expression with balanced tension. This promises enjoyment over the medium term. 2028-2035. 92 points." (AH) Vinous, May '26------"The 2022 Keyneton Euphonium is from a cooler, wetter season in Barossa, and the wines released have so far been fantastic. It leads with cocoa and star anise, licorice, black truffle and meat broth. The wine is sourced from long-term growers in both Eden and Barossa Valleys. Texturally, this is silky and fine, and the tannins are supple and yet structuring. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. 2025-2042. 93 points." Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate, Mar '26------"Deeply perfumed and spicy, with aromas of blackcurrants, roasted coffee beans, cedar, blood plums, cured meat and cassis. The palate is seamlessly integrated, with a velvety texture, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity that leads into a supple yet structured finish with lingering flavors of bitter chocolate, mulberries, cigar box and paprika. Made from a blend of 59% shiraz, 33% cabernet sauvignon, 6% cabernet franc and 2% merlot. So much polish and class. Drink or hold. Screw cap. 96 points." James Suckling, Mar '25 |
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| RED | 2022 | Henschke - `The Wheelwright` Eden Valley Shiraz | 75cl | £495 per case of 6 | Henschke `The Wheelwright` Eden Valley Shiraz 2022 / / 75cl £495 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Transparent garnet – not nearly as dense as stereotypical Barossa Shiraz. Heady, ‘composed’, settled, integrated aromas soar out of the glass. Sweet palate entry with a note of dried grasses. There’s a little leather, too. This seems like a wine you could enjoy already. It leaves a wonderfully soothing trace in the throat, and lasts for several minutes! There is real freshness and delicacy here. 18 points." (JR) Jancisrobinson.com------"From a S4-year-old vineyard, the 2022 Shiraz The Wheelright has a delicious approachability, with a fragrant bouquet of mulberry, musky plums, crushed fennel seeds and spice. The palate is bright and understated wih a sinewy structure. Exotic incense/spice bazaar aromatics build through the generous finish. 2029-2038. 93 points." (AH) Vinous, May '26------"The 2022 The Wheelwright Single Vineyard Shiraz is highly perfumed with purple flowers and lifted spice. This is loaded with pomegranate, raspberry, red licorice, pink peppercorn (in that attractive citrussy way that pink peppercorns can bring) and green olive tapenade. This is structural and yet juicy, savory (tannins) but sweet (fruit) and incredibly persistent and lingering. This offers immense pleasure now, but it will, like all the Henschke wines, evolve positively in the cellar for decades to come. The 2022 vintage brings such delicacy and freshness to this wine. I love it. 2026-2042. 96 points." Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate, Mar '26------"This distinctive wine has been an annual favourite of mine from the time it was first released. The vineyard was planted in the Mount Lofty Ranges by Cyril Henschke in 1968 to mark the 100th anniversary of Henschke. This is such a lovely wine, brimming with bright red fruits supported by a fine, bright and lively acidity, fine chalky tannins and a neatly implemented oak. Has a beautifully seductive mouthfeel with tremendous depth and concentration of Shiraz. This is the most southern of the three single vineyards and comes in after Edelstone and Hill of Grace. It’s quite different from those wines. Has beautiful peppery violet fragrances with stacks of red fruit. Matured in 10% new and 90% seasoned French oak hogsheads for 20 months before blending and bottling. The Wheelwright, first released to commemorate 150 years of Henschke family winemaking, pays tribute to founder, winemaker Johann Christian Henschke a skilled stonemason and wheelwright. He was among the first generation of the early German Silesian community and established the family winery in 1868. 97 points." Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot |
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| RED | 2022 | Henschke - Cyril Henschke` Eden Valley Cabernet Sauvignon | 75cl | £530 per case of 6 | Henschke Cyril Henschke` Eden Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 / / 75cl £530 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Cyril Henschke is a savory expression, with black olive, clay and cedar aromas in a notable oak frame. The 2022 is sturdy, young and muscular with gravelly flavours, a touch of dried herbs and chewy tannins. This is a highly ageworthy vintage with brooding, understated power and a long, sustained finish. Cellar this well for best results. 2035-2052. 95 points." (AH) Vinous, May '26------"The 2022 Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon leads with spicy red fruit, dusty baking spices and layers of dried herbs, akin to bay leaf and oregano. The tannins here are profuse yet very fine. It feels leafy and earthy, medium-bodied and fresh. I appreciate the varietal definition and delicacy here. The cooler vintage that was 2022 has birthed a tranche of wines of great delicacy and "fluffiness"/freshness. They are wonderful wines—I like the vintage so much. 2026-2047. 95 points." Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate, Mar '26------"There is a very strong case that this might be the best Cyril yet released. It was first produced as a single vineyard wine back in 1978 from vines planted in 1969. From the 1990s, it’s been coming from Stephen and Prue’s vineyard planted in 1988. In many ways, this marks a slightly different direction for the Cyril, although the essential D stylistic varietal expression remains strong. It’s a firm and slightly tighter wine of terrific linear structure with a bright, lively acidity, which in this vintage is particularly evident. The thread of blackcurrant fruit merges with a slightly dried herb and sage-like character. It is probably the most precisely focused of any Cyril to date, leading to its poise and defined, detailed finish. Surprisingly, in some ways, it gets just a 5% smidgeon of new oak with the remainder seasoned. So you are getting a clear window into the vineyard and the vintage influence. 97 points." Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot |
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| RED | 2022 | Henschke - Hill of Grace | 75cl | £1,450 per case of 3 | Henschke Hill of Grace 2022 / / 75cl £1,450 per case of 3 |
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Tasting Notes"Deeper, more concentrated ruby/garnet than Hill of Roses. Much more brooding, savoury and unyielding than the Hill of Roses 2022. This is a wine built to last! Delicate within the idiom of a South Australian Shiraz and beautifully balanced for future consumption. In this wine it’s not too difficult to discern the tannins but they are very ripe and very much in the background of the historic fruit. This is recognisable South Australian Shiraz but should be put away for quite a while! Lots of tar and salt on the very persistent finish. Very much a sore-throat soother. 18++ points." (JR) Jancisrobinson.com, Mar '26------"The 2022 Shiraz Hill of Grace is seductive and inviting but has the integrity and structure to age beautifully. It opens with fragrances of wood smoke, dried herbs and rubbed sage against a backdrop of fleshy blackberry and subtle toasted spices. A wall of tannin on the entry slowly breaks down to reveal complex, savoury layers of flavour. The finish is lengthy and sustained but tight. Perfect tension and structure make this a great vintage for Hill of Grace. 2045-2070. 98 points." (AH) Vinous.com, May '26------"The 2022 Hill of Grace Shiraz leads with dark fruit and an abundance of exotic spice to match. The tannins are profuse here, quite distinct from the Hill of Roses tasted alongside. Star anise, cloves, cinnamon (cassia), fennel seeds and Sichuan pepper weave in and out of the blackberry, blueberry, crushed quartz/ferrous undertones. There's a sweet rolling-tobacco character that is highly attractive and lingers through the finish. I love the 2022 vintage. It is fresh and detailed. It may forever live in the shadow of the great 2021 vintage, but not for me—I believe firmly this is a sleeper vintage and will reveal its longevity given time. The allure of it now is not in question, either. 2026-2072. 99 points." Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate, Mar '26------"May well be the prettiest Hill of Grace yet released. May also be the best, and that’s saying something. I thought 2021 was the greatest yet, then came 2022. Doesn’t have the raw power and luxurious opulence of the ’21, yet this might be a case of less is more. The depth and intensity of fruit that comes from vines that were planted in the 1860s is undeniable, but it’s all harnessed and focused into an effortless, long, and most graceful structure. There’s a distinct combination of black olive and bay leaf with a lift of sage bush. The palate is immensely powerful and intense with a focused concentration of fruit. As it opens up, other sweet fruit characters emerge. There’s a little seaweed and subtle fish oil-like characters. Perfumed and floral with blackberry and blueberry notes. It’s still relatively tight with fine-grained tannins. There is almost no new oak in the 100% seasoned French oak hogsheads, where it spent 20 months. 99+ points." Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot |
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| RED | 2022 | Henschke - Mount Edelstone Eden Valley Shiraz | 75cl | £725 per case of 6 | Henschke Mount Edelstone Eden Valley Shiraz 2022 / / 75cl £725 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Mid garnet – it’s easy to see the bottom of the glass! A little more reserved than The Wheelwright on the nose with more tar notes. Yet it’s fragrant and fresh and seems much less obviously tannic and concentrated than previous vintages. Like the 2021 it is delightfully approachable already. There’s a note of black pepper, a bit of liquorice too. There’s a little more structure than The Wheelwright 2022 so it will presumably last longer but I would happily drink it already. This is really quite subtle! 18+ points." (JR) Jancisrobinson.com, Mar '26------"The 2022 Shiraz Mount Edelstone, matured in only 8% new oak, presents pristine aromas of fruit pastille, licorice, raspberry and clove with undertones of savoury beef stock. This shows outstanding volume of flavour with spice tones, good acidity and mouth-coating tannins. A final influx of savoury earthy tones supports the strong, sustained finish, marking this as a great vintage. 2040-2066. 97 points." (AH) Vinous, May '26------"The vineyard triumphs yet again, with the 2022 vintage showing distinctive savoury Eden Valley character wrapped in lean, sinewy muscle. An especially complex nose shows pretty violets over darkest blackberry framed in fresh sage and bay leaf. Good winter rains and a strong fruit set followed by a long ripening season and late harvest has ensured strong acid retention, promoting a silky slide through plush primary fruits filling the mid-palate. Despite its generosity, the seamless integration of its components results in elevated elegance. It finishes with a grand climax of tobacco, cedar and cracked black pepper notes, tightly wound around sturdy tannins that will promote long cellaring. 2027-2060. 97 points." (DS) Decanter Magazine, Feb '26------"An elegant wine of great finesse and poise that captures in an instant the very essence of this great vineyard. The nose shows a more savoury black olive and sage bush character that is lifted with an edgy pepperiness with a hint of bay leaf. It’s bright, lively, with almost boundless energy.. This is the modern Edelstone style in essence, captured magnificently. Has all the character with less opulence and more finesse. Love it. There is great brightness and energy with a luminosity that positively glows on the palate. Has traces of the vineyard dried herb and herbal characters with a sage bush infusion. A highly scented wine that captures the vineyard itself in full flower. The wine is impeccably balanced with the 110- year-old vines delivering fruit of tremendous concentration and intensity harness with a fine acidity and tannin contribution, with a combination of 8% new and 92% season French oak hogsheads holding it for 20 months. The vineyard itself is managed with a combination of organic and biodynamic practices. 98 points." Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot------"The 2022 Mount Edelstone Vineyard Shiraz is bright, supple, spicy, savory and sweet. It is complex and shapely, persistent and delicate, with notes of bay leaf, raspberry seed, tapenade, wet moss and brine. This is a beautiful wine, and one of the most lovely Mount Edelstone Vineyard Shirazes I have tasted on release. I love the wines from the 2022 vintage; it may forever live in the shadow of the great 2021 vintage that came before it, but not in my heart. It has a pH of 3.43, 5.8 grams per liter of total acidity and 14.5% alcohol. 2026-2062. 98 points." Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate, Mar '26 |
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