Henschke Johann’s Garden 2024
- 95
- $65
- Drink by: 2026-2041
Share
A cracking Grenache Mataro blend from the Barossa Valley, the split between the varieties is 60/40. The two grapes were vinified separately, and maturation took place before blending. Maturation was for ten months in oak hogsheads, 3% new. Blood red with a garnet rim, the nose immediately gives us aromas of smoked meats, coffee grinds, mulberries, raspberries, dried herbs, aniseed and a touch of cold tea. A wine of finesse and balance, this is seamless, and the intensity is maintained throughout. It finishes with satiny tannins. A wine of class and grace, and while there are a great many wonderful wines out of the Barossa, it’s not often we think of them in those terms. Twelve to fifteen years.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
