Henschke Hill of Grace 2022

A wine that needs little introduction — but one that always rewards a closer look. Sourced from pre-phylloxera Shiraz vines planted on Henschke’s Hill of Grace Vineyard in the Eden Valley — cuttings carried from Europe in the mid-1800s, now farmed organically and biodynamically — and aged twenty months in seasoned French oak hogsheads before bottling. Fragrant and bright yet carrying great depth and complexity. Star anise, nutmeg, clove-studded orange, crushed violets, blackberry and blueberry lead, with sage to follow — the cut of five spice bouncing around with the fruit and floral tones. The depth of flavour is immediate on the palate; deep but not weighty, with excellent balance, intensity and vibrancy at this young age. Blackberry, blueberry and savoury notes echo the nose, while an incredible, blue-fruited acidity shoots through the finish and beautifully integrated tannins permeate with sprawl and assuredness. Remarkable length — a wine of savoury complexity intermingling with fruit of the highest order. What’s in a name? Quite a lot, it seems — here we have a Hill of Grace very much imbued with the latter. Sexy, silky and complete.