Henschke Heaven - Part 3
The latter part of the Henschke dinner had us tasting Marble Angel 2023, Tappa Pass 2023 and the Noble Semillon 2024 - all beautiful wines.
Henschke Marble Angel 2023
Tasted side-by-side with the Tappa Pass 2023 Shiraz.
A 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the first sniff screamed coffee. This was joined by flavours of cocoa, chocolate – 60% cocoa mass – musk, prune, fig and fittingly, marble. Tarragon, bay leaf and fenugreek also came out to play. This was a well-integrated and beautifully balanced wine.
It paired beautifully the roast lamb, eggplant and a dark leaf salad. Would also pair nicely with beef cheeks, steak and dark beef casseroles.
Rating: Bloody Delish Price: AUD 80
Henschke Tappa Pass 2023
I have a case of the 2022 at home - and letting it age as it is such a baby - and therefore I was really interested to taste the 2023. 100% Shiraz.
Like the Marble Angel, the first aromatic note that struck me was coffee. On sipping it, it immediately displayed a much firmer tannin profile than the Marble Angel. Other dominant flavours included tarragon, a touch of tomato passata, eggplant, sage and fresh oregano. It is a beautifully round and integrated wine. Whilst initially quite tight (despite being double-decantered several hours earlier), as it opened up, it became better than the Marble Angel.
Taking advantage of the herbal and tomato notes, this wine would pair brilliantly with rustic Italian cooking such as wild boar and hearty tomato-based dishes, along with lentil dishes.
I need to crack open a bottle of the 2022 to do a proper comparison.
Rating: Bloody Delish Price: AUD 127
Henschke Noble Semillon 2024
A botrytised wine, it was surprisingly light in body although concentrated in flavour. The high acidity gave a wonderful freshness to this wine. Flavours and aromas of yellow peach, peach skin, dried apricot, orange, orange rind and lemon with a touch of mandarin. A long, lingering finish that made me want another glass.
Most people forget how versatile a good botrytised wine is and classify it as dessert wine. Yes, it did pair nicely with cheddar cheese. It would also pair brilliantly with Arabic and Indian dishes with saffron, caramelised elements, nuts and dried fruit. Would also match sweet and sour pork in intensity. It is often challenging to find a wine that matches these dishes in intensity – both flavour and aromatically – and this is one of those wines that would do it.
Rating: Bloody Delish Price: AUD 42 for 375ml
Our favourite wines of the night? The 2009 Keyneton Euphonium, followed by Peggy’s Hill and Noble Semillon.