Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz 2018
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.
Henschke's commitment to excellence and sustainable wine production has garnered well-deserved recognition and accolades. In 2021, the winery was honoured as the Wine Enthusiast New World Winery of the Year, a testament to their exceptional craftsmanship and dedication to pushing the boundaries of winemaking in the New World. Furthermore, Henschke was also named the Winery of the Year by the prestigious Halliday Wine Companion, solidifying their position as a leader in the industry. Additionally, Henschke's unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmentally conscious practices has been acknowledged with the prestigious Robert Parker Wine Advocate Green Emblem. This recognition highlights their remarkable efforts in reducing environmental impact while producing outstanding wines. Henschke's unwavering pursuit of excellence and dedication to sustainable practices make them a true icon in the world of wine.
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. The vineyard was established at Parrot Hill in the Eden Valley (around 1860) by Nicolaus Stanitzki and has since been handed down through the generations to the Henschke family. Although first produced in 1958, 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.
Over 180 years ago, Johann Christian Henschke came from Silesia to settle and build his firm in the Eden Valley region. By the time third-generation Paul Alfred Henschke took over the reins in 1914 the now famed Hill of Grace vines were more than 50 years old. The original vines, known as the Grandfather, were planted around 1860 by an ancestor, Nicolaus Stanitzki rich alluvial soil in a shallow fertile valley just north-west of the Henschke family winery. The red brown earth grading to deep salty loam has excellent moisture-holding capacity for these dry-grown vines, that sit at an altitude of 400m, with an average rainfall of 520mm Hill of Grace is a unique, delineated, historic single vineyard that lies opposite a beautiful old lutheran church, which is named after a picturesque region in Silesia known as Gnadenberg, translating to Hill of Grace: Cyril Henschke made the first single-vineyard shiraz wine from this vineyard in 1958 from handpicked grapes vinified in traditional open-top fermenters. The original Ancestors (vines over 125 years) are now approximately 160 years old and remain the heart of the Hill of Grace wine, along with small selection of Centenarians (vines over 100 years), Survivors (vines over 70 years), and Old Vines (in over 35 years), all planned on their own roots.
A moderately wet winter combined with average spring conditions meant that the vines grow well in the mild weather. Ideal flowering conditions in late spring/early summer led to the potential for near average yields, Late December became warm and dry, ensuring healthy canopies with low disease pressure. The summer months of January and February were typically warm and dry, characterised by above average overnight temperatures The old vine vineyards coped well with the warm nights, their deep roots able to withstand the warming and drying effect on the topsoil, maturing the balanced crops as autumn approached. March and April provided light and warmth to the Eden Valley which led to full and balanced maturity being achieved across all grape varieties With warm sunny days and cool nights, the dry autumn guaranteed that pristinely healthy grapes arrived in the fermenters All in all, the 2018 vintage will be considered a standout of the decade. Shier was certainly one of the highlights of the season, fittingly so in the year we celebrated our 150th anniversary of family
The 2018 Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz is the 80th release of this iconic wine. 100% shiraz from pre-phylloxera material brought from Europe in the mid-1800s and grown on the Henschke Hill of Grace Vineyard in the Eden Valley wine region, managed with organic and biodynamic practices. Matured in 20% new and 80% seasoned (83% French, 17% American) oak hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling.
Deep ruby with ruby hues Ethereal and exotic aromas of blackberry and blood plum with five spice star anise, clove, fennel seed, cinnamon and black pepper, and more subtle hints of bay leaf and crushed flowering herbs. The palate is plush, deep, complex and powerful, with a core of supple blackberry and blueberry fruit laden with spice and pepper, and beautifully balanced by fine acidity resolving into a long and elegant finish of rolling, velvety tannins. In the correct conditions, this wine could be cellared for 35+ years from vintage
Beautifully balanced with voluminous blackberry, mulberry elderberry roasted chestnut flavours, lovely fine grained and loose knit tannins, superb volume, and integrated acidity. Finishes firm and minerally long. A superb young wine. Destined to become a classic vintage. - Andrew Caillard MW, 100 Points
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Shiraz
Country - Australia
Region - Eden Valley, South Australia
Vintage - 2018
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14.5%