97/100 Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal 95/100 Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion 95/100 Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot 95/100 Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot 95/100 James Suckling 94/100 Stuart Knox, The Real Review 92/100 Nick Stock 90/100 The Wine Front 95/100 Tyson Stelzer, Halliday Wine Companion Awards (2017 vintage) 95/100 Huon Hooke, The Real Review (2017 vintage) 93/100 James Suckling (2017 vintage) 93/100 Decanter (2017 vintage) 91/100 Robert Parker (2017 vintage) 9/100 CellarTracker (2017 vintage) 16.5/20 Jancis Robinson (2017 vintage) 94/100 Wine Enthusiast (2016 vintage) 93/100 Robert Parker (2016 vintage) 93/100 Decanter (2016 vintage) 93/100 Falstaff (2016 vintage) 92/100 Stuart Knox, The Real Review (2016 vintage) 92/100 CellarTracker (2016 vintage) 16.5/20 Jancis Robinson (2016 vintage)
Silver - Barossa Wine Show Silver - The TEXSOM International Wine Awards (2017 vintage) Silver - Decanter World Wine Awards (2017 vintage) Silver - International Wine Awards (2016 vintage) Silver - Decanter World Wine Awards (2016 vintage) Silver - The TEXSOM International Wine Awards (2016 vintage)
Halliday Wine Companion Wine Awards 2021 'Winery of the Year'
Biodynamic
Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal "Deep colour. A classic Henschke style with developed blackberry, cassis, dark chocolate, roasted walnut aromas. Richly flavoured, complex and bittersweet with attractive ripe blackberry, blackcurrant, roasted walnut, hint chestnut notes, sage and tobacco, lovely mid-palate density and fine supple chocolaty tannins. Finishes claret firm with a fine graphite plume. A superb vintage in this series."
Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion "Detail is a wonderful thing. If you stick your nose in the glass and close your eyes, perhaps tilt your head just so, you can pick out the individual components of this wine, yet they mesh together perfectly. Juicy berry and plum fruits, abundant spice, fine-grind tannin grip, a fine lacy acid line and an elegant, perfectly poised, slow fade out of pure fruit."
Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot "It was a super vintage in both the Barossa and Eden Valley. This is a blend of shiraz dominant with contributions from cabernet, cabernet franc and merlot. Nose displays those rich dark fruit characters that point to a fully ripe mix of fruit. The palate has a grainy. slightly chalky texture which allows the generous fruit flavours to build and hold their lines to the long finish. Dry, slightly savoury earthy finish with a trace of vineyard ironstone."
Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot "Black/purple in colour, the nose exudes concentrated notes of cassis and blackberries. There are warm earth tones, mocha, coffee grinds and licorice. A hint of fresh blueberries. Good focus, there are considerable tannins here, but they are soft and supple and help carry the wine to its lingering and persistent finish."
James Suckling "Spicy and creamy shiraz-based blend with velvety tannins framing a silky core of dark fruit, licorice, cloves, grilled herbs and spices. Five spice and smoked paprika coming through. Full-bodied yet elegant."
Stuart Knox, The Real Review "Deep ruby red in the glass. Fragrant and lifted with dark berry, violets and earth spices showing. Medium in weight yet carrying an underlying power that demands your attention. There’s a seamless nature to the wine that suggests a great blending hand in the background, not one note out of place. Great flow and it caresses the palate incredibly long and lingering."
Nick Stock "Cedar, dried berries and plums, hard brown spices and mint all intertwined here, with ripe red-plum, blueberry and gingerbread notes. The palate holds a ripe and dense core of quite dark fruit aromas with a smoothly concentrated finish. A blend of shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and merlot."
Tyson Stelzer, Halliday Wine Companion Awards "I love the transparency of the Barossa's cooler seasons, in such articulate detail here that all 4 varieties are clearly visible in all their glory. Unashamedly medium bodied, refreshing and enticing, yet in no way underpowered, simplistic or short lived. Crunchy berry fruits, fine-ground tannins and vibrant acidity unite to marvellous effect and outstanding line and length. It takes some skill, dexterity and humility in the winery to allow fruit of such elegance to really sing. A classic Barossa blend with a long future before it." (2017 vintage)
Huon Hooke, The Real Review "Very good deep red colour with a good purple tint. The bouquet is sweetly raspberry-ish and very Eden Valley in style, earthy-spicy also, with a bouquet of dried herbs and dried flowers, especially sage. The wine is deliciously fruit-sweet and almost lush in the mouth, the masses of fine, subtly drying tannins keeping the finish and aftertaste neat and disciplined. A lovely wine, approachable already but certainly built to last and will be better if you can keep your hands off it a few years" (2017 vintage)
James Suckling "This cooler vintage shuffles cabernet to the fore, with leafy redcurrants and red berries, as well as some first-wood tones. The palate is more supple and reflects the influence of shiraz with blackberry and plum flavors set amid quite fleshy texture. A blend of shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and merlot." (2017 vintage)
Decanter "With a splash of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, Henschke’s twist on a classic Aussie Shiraz-Cabernet has no shortage of interest and layers to its fresh black berry and plum flavours. Riffs of blackcurrant bud, black pepper, black olive, fennel, cedar and sandalwood and a neat touch of charred nutty oak bring delicious savoury nuance. Emphatic but elegant acidity and fine, slippery tannins make for an involving, energetic palate." (2017 vintage)
Robert Parker "The oak imparts a bit of smokiness and mocha overtones to the nose, but this is a largely fruit-driven effort, with ripe cherries, boysenberries and blackberries touched with hints of eucalyptus and sage. It's medium to full-bodied, smooth and streamlined on the palate, with a soft dusting of tannins and lingering berry and herb flavors on the finish." (2017 vintage)
Wine Enthusiast, Christina Pickard "This blend of old-vine Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc is open and fragrant yet powerful and dense right from the get go. Concentrated damson plum and black currant are backed by notes of dark chocolate, licorice, eucalyptus and tomato leaf, with a sanguine nuance. The tannins are powerful and drying but hold the silky fruit neatly in place." (2016 vintage)
Robert Parker "A blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the 2016 Keyneton Euphonium beautifully marries the mint and herb of the Bordeaux varieties with the plumminess and spice of the Shiraz. Hints of mint, tea and violets accent dark, plummy fruit, then finish with savory overtones of black olive. It's full-bodied and supple."
Decanter "A sumptuous, savoury twist on classic Shiraz-Cabernet blends, full of rich, velvety cassis fruit, dark chocolate, cured black olive and dried herbs. Splashes of Merlot and Cabernet Franc bring accents of blueberry, spicy fruitcake, tea, tomato plant and ketchup. A fretwork of tannins and juicy acidity makes for a dynamic interplay of flavours and textures, concluding with Cabernet Sauvignon's gravel, grip and focus. A full-bodied, flavoursome feast." (2016 vintage)
Falstaff "There is a brightness to the dark ruby hue; the Cabernet component makes its presence felt with wafts of blackcurrants and mulberries alongside soused plums, tobacco, dried herbs and its really spicy. It’s no wall-flower either as it has a richness and density with plump ripe tannins and decent length following through. Drink 2021-2027. J.F." (2016 vintage)
Stuart Knox, The Real Review "Very deep and intense ruby-red colour throughout the glass. Mulberry and wakame aromatics. A medium-weighted shiraz that still shows bright fruit with a layer of tobacco leaf and bracken savoury. Fine-boned tannins give good length and drive. Supple and harmonious." (2016 vintage)
Keyneton Euphonium is a beautiful composition of shiraz from up to 50-year-old vines growing in the Eden and Barossa Valleys, blended with cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc from selected vineyards in both regions. Matured in 20% new and 80% seasoned French oak hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling.
Henschke is regarded as the best medium-sized red wine producer in Australia. Critic James Halliday describes Henschke's "Hill of Grace" as "second only to Penfolds Grange as Australia's red wine icon". The winery has gone from strength to strength over the past three decades under the guidance of winemaker Stephen and viticulturist Prue Henschke. The red wines fully capitalize on the very old, low-yielding, high-quality vines and are superbly made with sensitive but positive use of new small oak. All Henschke vineyards are farmed biodynamically.
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every wine growing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley. Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to demonstrate a handful of common character traits: deep color, good tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood.
97/100 Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal 95/100 Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion 95/100 Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot 95/100 Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot 95/100 James Suckling 94/100 Stuart Knox, The Real Review 92/100 Nick Stock 90/100 The Wine Front 95/100 Tyson Stelzer, Halliday Wine Companion Awards (2017 vintage) 95/100 Huon Hooke, The Real Review (2017 vintage) 93/100 James Suckling (2017 vintage) 93/100 Decanter (2017 vintage) 91/100 Robert Parker (2017 vintage) 9/100 CellarTracker (2017 vintage) 16.5/20 Jancis Robinson (2017 vintage) 94/100 Wine Enthusiast (2016 vintage) 93/100 Robert Parker (2016 vintage) 93/100 Decanter (2016 vintage) 93/100 Falstaff (2016 vintage) 92/100 Stuart Knox, The Real Review (2016 vintage) 92/100 CellarTracker (2016 vintage) 16.5/20 Jancis Robinson (2016 vintage)
Silver - Barossa Wine Show Silver - The TEXSOM International Wine Awards (2017 vintage) Silver - Decanter World Wine Awards (2017 vintage) Silver - International Wine Awards (2016 vintage) Silver - Decanter World Wine Awards (2016 vintage) Silver - The TEXSOM International Wine Awards (2016 vintage)
Halliday Wine Companion Wine Awards 2021 'Winery of the Year'
Biodynamic
Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal "Deep colour. A classic Henschke style with developed blackberry, cassis, dark chocolate, roasted walnut aromas. Richly flavoured, complex and bittersweet with attractive ripe blackberry, blackcurrant, roasted walnut, hint chestnut notes, sage and tobacco, lovely mid-palate density and fine supple chocolaty tannins. Finishes claret firm with a fine graphite plume. A superb vintage in this series."
Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion "Detail is a wonderful thing. If you stick your nose in the glass and close your eyes, perhaps tilt your head just so, you can pick out the individual components of this wine, yet they mesh together perfectly. Juicy berry and plum fruits, abundant spice, fine-grind tannin grip, a fine lacy acid line and an elegant, perfectly poised, slow fade out of pure fruit."
Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot "It was a super vintage in both the Barossa and Eden Valley. This is a blend of shiraz dominant with contributions from cabernet, cabernet franc and merlot. Nose displays those rich dark fruit characters that point to a fully ripe mix of fruit. The palate has a grainy. slightly chalky texture which allows the generous fruit flavours to build and hold their lines to the long finish. Dry, slightly savoury earthy finish with a trace of vineyard ironstone."
Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot "Black/purple in colour, the nose exudes concentrated notes of cassis and blackberries. There are warm earth tones, mocha, coffee grinds and licorice. A hint of fresh blueberries. Good focus, there are considerable tannins here, but they are soft and supple and help carry the wine to its lingering and persistent finish."
James Suckling "Spicy and creamy shiraz-based blend with velvety tannins framing a silky core of dark fruit, licorice, cloves, grilled herbs and spices. Five spice and smoked paprika coming through. Full-bodied yet elegant."
Stuart Knox, The Real Review "Deep ruby red in the glass. Fragrant and lifted with dark berry, violets and earth spices showing. Medium in weight yet carrying an underlying power that demands your attention. There’s a seamless nature to the wine that suggests a great blending hand in the background, not one note out of place. Great flow and it caresses the palate incredibly long and lingering."
Nick Stock "Cedar, dried berries and plums, hard brown spices and mint all intertwined here, with ripe red-plum, blueberry and gingerbread notes. The palate holds a ripe and dense core of quite dark fruit aromas with a smoothly concentrated finish. A blend of shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and merlot."
Tyson Stelzer, Halliday Wine Companion Awards "I love the transparency of the Barossa's cooler seasons, in such articulate detail here that all 4 varieties are clearly visible in all their glory. Unashamedly medium bodied, refreshing and enticing, yet in no way underpowered, simplistic or short lived. Crunchy berry fruits, fine-ground tannins and vibrant acidity unite to marvellous effect and outstanding line and length. It takes some skill, dexterity and humility in the winery to allow fruit of such elegance to really sing. A classic Barossa blend with a long future before it." (2017 vintage)
Huon Hooke, The Real Review "Very good deep red colour with a good purple tint. The bouquet is sweetly raspberry-ish and very Eden Valley in style, earthy-spicy also, with a bouquet of dried herbs and dried flowers, especially sage. The wine is deliciously fruit-sweet and almost lush in the mouth, the masses of fine, subtly drying tannins keeping the finish and aftertaste neat and disciplined. A lovely wine, approachable already but certainly built to last and will be better if you can keep your hands off it a few years" (2017 vintage)
James Suckling "This cooler vintage shuffles cabernet to the fore, with leafy redcurrants and red berries, as well as some first-wood tones. The palate is more supple and reflects the influence of shiraz with blackberry and plum flavors set amid quite fleshy texture. A blend of shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and merlot." (2017 vintage)
Decanter "With a splash of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, Henschke’s twist on a classic Aussie Shiraz-Cabernet has no shortage of interest and layers to its fresh black berry and plum flavours. Riffs of blackcurrant bud, black pepper, black olive, fennel, cedar and sandalwood and a neat touch of charred nutty oak bring delicious savoury nuance. Emphatic but elegant acidity and fine, slippery tannins make for an involving, energetic palate." (2017 vintage)
Robert Parker "The oak imparts a bit of smokiness and mocha overtones to the nose, but this is a largely fruit-driven effort, with ripe cherries, boysenberries and blackberries touched with hints of eucalyptus and sage. It's medium to full-bodied, smooth and streamlined on the palate, with a soft dusting of tannins and lingering berry and herb flavors on the finish." (2017 vintage)
Wine Enthusiast, Christina Pickard "This blend of old-vine Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc is open and fragrant yet powerful and dense right from the get go. Concentrated damson plum and black currant are backed by notes of dark chocolate, licorice, eucalyptus and tomato leaf, with a sanguine nuance. The tannins are powerful and drying but hold the silky fruit neatly in place." (2016 vintage)
Robert Parker "A blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the 2016 Keyneton Euphonium beautifully marries the mint and herb of the Bordeaux varieties with the plumminess and spice of the Shiraz. Hints of mint, tea and violets accent dark, plummy fruit, then finish with savory overtones of black olive. It's full-bodied and supple."
Decanter "A sumptuous, savoury twist on classic Shiraz-Cabernet blends, full of rich, velvety cassis fruit, dark chocolate, cured black olive and dried herbs. Splashes of Merlot and Cabernet Franc bring accents of blueberry, spicy fruitcake, tea, tomato plant and ketchup. A fretwork of tannins and juicy acidity makes for a dynamic interplay of flavours and textures, concluding with Cabernet Sauvignon's gravel, grip and focus. A full-bodied, flavoursome feast." (2016 vintage)
Falstaff "There is a brightness to the dark ruby hue; the Cabernet component makes its presence felt with wafts of blackcurrants and mulberries alongside soused plums, tobacco, dried herbs and its really spicy. It’s no wall-flower either as it has a richness and density with plump ripe tannins and decent length following through. Drink 2021-2027. J.F." (2016 vintage)
Stuart Knox, The Real Review "Very deep and intense ruby-red colour throughout the glass. Mulberry and wakame aromatics. A medium-weighted shiraz that still shows bright fruit with a layer of tobacco leaf and bracken savoury. Fine-boned tannins give good length and drive. Supple and harmonious." (2016 vintage)
Keyneton Euphonium is a beautiful composition of shiraz from up to 50-year-old vines growing in the Eden and Barossa Valleys, blended with cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc from selected vineyards in both regions. Matured in 20% new and 80% seasoned French oak hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling.
Henschke is regarded as the best medium-sized red wine producer in Australia. Critic James Halliday describes Henschke's "Hill of Grace" as "second only to Penfolds Grange as Australia's red wine icon". The winery has gone from strength to strength over the past three decades under the guidance of winemaker Stephen and viticulturist Prue Henschke. The red wines fully capitalize on the very old, low-yielding, high-quality vines and are superbly made with sensitive but positive use of new small oak. All Henschke vineyards are farmed biodynamically.
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every wine growing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley. Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to demonstrate a handful of common character traits: deep color, good tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood.
