Henschke Henry’s Seven 2021

This Barossa blend is celebrating its 20th anniversary with the release of this vintage. The name hails from Henry Evans Henschke planting the first vineyard, yes, of seven acres, at Keyneton in 1853. He may not have had an easy life. As soon as Henry fell off the perch, his widow Sarah had no one to rein in her “temperance convictions”. The winery was shut and vines unceremoniously uprooted. Thankfully, temperance does not run in the Henschke family. This wine is a blend of 77% Shiraz, 11% Grenache, 10% Mataro and 2% Viognier. The Viognier was co-fermented with the Shiraz, while the Grenache and the Mataro were both fermented separately. The components spent 10 months in a mix of 95% seasoned and 5% new French hogsheads, before blending and bottling. The Viognier might only be a dollop but at this early stage, it is certainly making its presence felt. The colour is a shining, vibrant purple (winemakers will tell you that, despite the contrary nature to it, adding a touch of white to the red enhances the colour). Beautifully aromatic, it oozes dark berry notes and charcuterie. Bergamot, graphite and a hint of orange rind. This is seamless, offers the silkiest of tannins and exemplary length. An exquisitely beautiful wine with a good ten years ahead of it.