Henschke Wheelwright Shiraz 2017
- 97
- $140
- Drink by: 2025 - 2035
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Of the four prestige Shiraz releases from Henschke this year, from the 2017 vintage, this seemed for me to be the most
pure in its fruit. Colour is deep maroon and the nose is just gorgeously perfumed, quite exquisite. Florals, violets, spices, milk chocolate and dark fruits. An alluring creamy texture. This is simply seamless with silky tannins and very fine balance. Delightfully fresh, almost slippery. It also has great length and seems to increase in intensity as we go. Just immaculate balance (yes, repeating myself but it is a point worth stressing). The purity of fruit is the highlight of this wine, though, with a long future ahead.
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.
