Henschke Henry’s Seven 2024

A blend of Shiraz, Grenache, Mataro, with a splash of Viognier: 76%, 16%, 7%, 1%. Roughly half comes from the Barossa Valley, the other from Eden Valley. Cool and suave in the glass, with restrained elegance – raspberry coulis, cassia bark, blood plum, subtle black pepper, and tilled earth. Game meat notes mix with gentle char. The palate carries the same restraint but with juicy fruit weight and velvety texture – blood plum, blackberry, dark cherry, nutmeg, earth, game, and black pepper again. Dark fruit meets a light touch, never descending into heaviness. Approachable tannins tow the finish to good length. The interplay of fruit and savouriness shines, and food would lift the spicy, earthy notes even further. A great offering at $40.