Henschke Keyneton Euphonium 2021

The 2021 vintage was rated as “exceptional” by the Henschke family and, I might add, by quite a number of their Barossa Valley colleagues. The result is a tightly formed young wine that requires a few swishes in the glass to release some of the dark fruit, savoury earthiness and oak that lies in wait. The blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot brings plenty of structure as well as flavour. It is destined to see some extended time in bottle. Dusty, smoky, woodsy, earthy, it offers a long walk through the woods releasing dark blackberry, black olive, bramble, cassis, leather with a touch of cured meats within a taut, tannin frame. You’ve got to love the very personal nature of the names chosen by the Henschke family for their wines. The Euphonium was a treasured musical instrument favoured by members of the Henschke Family Brass Band founded in 1888.