Henschke have now brought their premium wine releases together for release dates and vintage, which provides a good snapshot of the year, 2019 in this case. The key variable in 2019 was rainfall, and not much of it at all between January and April with temperatures above average throughout the growing season, particularly December and January which were 2.6 and 3.2 degrees above average for daily maximums. The hot and dry weather has produced bold and powerful wines that are crowdpleasers but lacking the detail and finesse seen in the best vintages. The use of fruit from cooler sites though has allowed the wines from Henschke to keep good shape overall and these wines will all age well, with Cabernet Sauvignon the exception.
Henschke Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
The savoury and brooding 2019 Eden Valley Cabernet Sauvignon opens up with muscular aromas of baked earth, blackberry and dark chocolate with a dusting of ground spices, a faint leafy note adding freshness. A refined, mid-weight expression while the palate takes on more olive accents and earthy tones strong with balanced, fine tannins. Enjoyable and built for the medium term but not a favourite vintage. Drink 2029-2036. 91 Points
Henschke The Wheelwright Shiraz 2019
From 1968 plantings, the Wheelright label is a relatively new addition to the Henschke range, which has very much come of age in 2019. It delivers a powerful yet well controlled core of blackberry, woodsmoke and soy sauce aromas with significant layers of dried herbs and charcuterie. Sturdy and focussed with a strong backbone of tannins before opening out with earthy, meaty, olive tapenade tones. Excellent shape and balance drive a long seamless finish of exceptional length. Drink 2030-2040. 93 Points.
Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz 2019
This sturdy, strong vintage of Mount Edelstone has all the ingredients for a long life ahead with a little flair thrown in. It is a distinctly savoury expression, layer after layer of earthy, meaty tones underpinned by generous musky plum highlights. Excellent density of flavour, and firm chewy tannins to follow, peaty, wood smoke and clove flavours lingering over the finish. Delicious overall flow and drinkability which will hold for some time to come. Drink 2029-2038. 94 Points.
Henschke Hill of Grace 2019
This expressive and finely tuned 2019 Shiraz is generously proportioned but at this young stage of life still holds its cards quite close to its chest. There is a distinctly ripe chocolate and cocoa to start before licorice, black olive and spices start to rise. Excellent shape and composure, with a seam of al-dente tannins delivering both youthful drinkability but also having the backbone to assist significant aging. A strong but not superlative vintage. Drink 2032-2045. 95 Points
Henschke Hill of Grace 2008
This 2008 vintage has fleshed out a bit since the last tasting with powerful choc-blackberry fruits building more on the earthy spectrum with layers of aged spice just starting to come into the picture. Richly flavoured while retaining a solid core of fine tannins, the whole package is quite seamless and feels in a holding pattern yet has the density and presence to age well. Drink 2025-2040. 94 Points
Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz 2013
This 2013 vintage Shiraz is in a great place right now showing youthful power yet now lifted by attractive, well integrated aged complexity. Plush aromas of mulberry and dark chocolate are enriched by evocative touches of roasted spices, and dark earths, all delivered with good intensity. Generously textured and flavoured with fine, mouth coasting tannins to underpin a long, open-knit finish, the overall feel here is of a wine at peak but which will hold for another decade. Drink 2024-2034. 93 Points
