Product Info:
With over 155 years of history, Henschke’s Hill of Grace is easily Australia’s most sought after single vineyard wine, and rivals Penfolds Grange for the title of the country’s greatest ever wine. It is a translation from the German ‘Gnadenberg’, a region in Silesia, and the name given to the lovely Lutheran church that overlooks the vineyard. The 4ha single-vineyard shiraz planting is situated at the historic village of Parrot Hill 4km north-west of Henschke Cellars in Eden Valley established by Nicolaus Stanitzki (around 1860) and has since been handed down through the generations to the Henschke family. Although first produced in 1958 by Cyril Henschke, it took nearly 30 years before the Hill of Grace Shiraz became truly famous, an effort recognised to be connected to the hard work and dedication of Stephen and Prue Henschke. Today the viticulture at the Hill of Grace vineyard is blessed with the practical wisdom and knowledge passed down from past generations and the advantages of international learnings and research. In a dry-grown vineyard on its own roots, Prue has observed the benefits of mulching, composting and the use of permanent swards including native grasses, to build up the health of soils and preserve soil moisture. The inclusion of biodynamic principles in the vineyard management gives a twofold benefit – replacement of inorganic fertilisers with compost and the exclusion of herbicides. While planting local native plants provides nectar to attract beneficial insects and helps with pest and disease control. The influence of the moon cycles has always been an important and familiar feature in the operation of the Henschke vineyards, with the Hill of Grace vineyard always being picked just before the harvest moon of Easter.
Archetypally perfect, this is a liquid national treasure with 40+ glorious years ahead. - Nick Stock
Maker:
The prestigious Australian winery Henschke has remained a family-owned establishment for over 153 years and six generations. Situated in Keyneton, South Australia, within the esteemed Eden Valley wine region, Henschke proudly stands as a distinguished member of Australia's First Families of Wine. Since its inception in 1862, when Johann Christian Henschke planted a modest vineyard in Keyneton, the Henschke family has continuously crafted exceptional wines, forging a legacy of excellence with vineyards in the Eden Valley, Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills, including acclaimed single-vineyards, Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone.
The fifth-generation winemaker Stephen Carl Henschke and his viticulturist wife Prue took over the operation of the winery in 1979 and they are recognised around the world for their exceptional quality wines, innovative spirit, focus on restoring native vegetation, organic and biodynamic practices in the vineyard. Johann Stephen Henschke, the eldest of Stephen and Prue’s three children has become the sixth generation member of the Henschke family since 1983. With the background of higher education in wine making, viticulture and oenology, Johann is now based at the family winery as winemaker and viticulturist while playing an important role of transferring his skill set and knowledge from the fifth to sixth generation. As the next generation prepares to navigate the well-documented challenges that lie ahead, Johann recognizes the indispensability of innovation and meticulous strategic planning. However, amidst these considerations, he firmly believes in upholding the time-honoured winemaking techniques that have been cherished by the Henschke family for generations. By ensuring that the legacy of Henschke is nurtured with the same prudence and care as it has always been, Johann and his peers can pass on a heritage that will endure and command the same esteemed reputation that it enjoys today.
Vineyard:
Vintage 2005 was early, warm, quick – fantastic quality with good yields – and exhausting. Above average winter rains led into a beautiful spring, with some early November frosts but good flowering weather in late November and early December. Summer was wet and wild, with an amazing roller-coaster of weekly thunderstorms that helped maintain good subsoil moisture. Rains in January were followed by a dry February, and the dry weather continued right through the autumn. Warmer than usual autumnal weather caused an early, compact harvest of above average yields. The late Indian summer lasted into May, well after all the fruit was harvested with colour, flavour and maturity figures not seen since the 2002 vintage.
The quality of the 2005 vintage is sure to be ranked as one of the best on record, after 2002, with all varieties showing strongly. Once again the signature varieties for Eden Valley, ie, riesling and shiraz, performed brilliantly.
Nose - Rose Petal, Satsuma Plums, Dark-spiced Oak
The aromas are pure indulgence with a mix of primary plum fruits and blackberry nuances overlaid with spices, licorice and game.
Palate -
The palate though is a boom. Glorious purity and condition. Plum jam, crushed violets, cedarwood and barrel smoke. Velvety texture. Like grabbing handfuls of fresh blueberries and boysenberries. Like drinking an Eden Valley summer.
Finish - Exotic, Luscious, Barrel Smoke
An effortlessly long palate that just floats on forever. Glorious.
Arguably the most anticipated release in recent times, this doesn't disappoint. Fragrant rose petal and Turkish delight notes ahead of deep-seated spice and earthy vineyard nuances. Blackberry and Satsuma plum flavours on the palate, a sweep of dark-spiced oak, rippling long through the finish. Archetypally perfect, this is a liquid national treasure with 40+ glorious years ahead. - Nick Stock, 99 Points.
Silky smooth and powerful, with multi-layers of complexity on the palate. The aromas are pure indulgence with a mix of primary plum fruits and blackberry nuances overlaid with spices, licorice and game. The palate has a soft, supple texture with fine, ripe, silky tannins. An effortlessly long palate that just floats on forever. Glorious. Good for 25 years in the cellars. - Ray Jordan, 98 Points.
When the Hill of Grace vineyard was planted in the 1860s, Adelaide was only just over 20 years old ' so when you drink Henschke Hill of Grace you are in some ways drinking the history of European settlement in Australia or at least in South Australia. This year's release sure smells interesting. Oyster shells and baked bread, violets and crushed spice. It's complex but not necessarily effusive, the need for extra time in the bottle paramount. The palate though is a boom. Glorious purity and condition. Plum jam, crushed violets, cedarwood and barrel smoke. Velvety texture. Like grabbing handfuls of fresh blueberries and boysenberries. Like drinking an Eden Valley summer. Tannin reaches nicely but not necessarily elaborately through the wine, and it finishes with an exotic aftertaste of soy and sesame. Hard to fault. - Campbell Mattinson, 96 Points.
Dark crimson. Fermented blackcurrant wine gums. A little minty. Real refreshment as well as the lusciousness. Great stuff! Very complete. - Jancis Robinson
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Shiraz
Country - Australia
Region - Eden Valley, South Australia
Vintage - 2005
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14.5%
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