Is Henschke the Definition of Heaven?

Henschke is a famed vineyard in Australia with their most iconic wine being Hill of Grace.  Therefore when an email popped into my inbox inviting me to go to a Henschke tasting for a very low tasting fee, I jumped at the offer.  There were nine wines, ranging from AUD 28 to 160 in price – something for everyone.

We started off with three white wines – two Rieslings and a Pinot Gris – before moving on to their famed red wines.  Sadly, but not surprisingly, there no Hill of Grace – what do you expect when it sells for AUD 1,000 a bottle for the 2021 vintage) or Johann’s Garden (Grenache - pictured from a previous purchase) - but there was plenty on offer to delight people.

Henschke Julius Eden Valley Riesling 2025

Henschke is in the Eden Valley, an area renowned for its crisp Rieslings.  The best of the three white wines poured on the night was the Julius Eden Valley Riesling, and surprisingly poured from a magnum.  Typical for the Eden Valley, it was very crisp and fresh with clean citrus flavours – pink grapefruit, lemon and lime – and supported by red apple and white peach, with minerality driving this wine.  There was a touch of skin tannin grip to add to the texture.  I loved it.

Rating: Delish       Price: AUD 56 for 750ml, AUD 125 for a magnum (1.5L)

Henschke Keyneton Euphonium 2015

Done as part of a vertical tasting with the 2021 vintage, this Shiraz-dominant wine shone.  Fresh juicy prunes, sage, cocoa, tomato, thyme and a touch of lead pencil came through, displaying concentration and intensity.  As expected with a Shiraz, there was still a bit of a tannin there but the wine was very smooth and round in the mouth.  This wine hasn’t stopped developing and it would be great to taste it in another 5-10 years.

Rating: Bloody Delish    Price: AUD 170 as part of a twin pack with the 2021 vintage

Henschke The Wheelright Shiraz 2021

All of my table agreed that this was the wine of the night.  Initially very grippy on the palate – it really needed to be decanted for a couple of hours prior to the tasting – it got better and smoother as opened up.  Lovely flavours of black plum, mulberry, dried herbs and anise came to the fore.  It has a firm tannic and acidic structure that will beautifully support ageing.  This wine is currently a baby and needs to be put away for at least 10-15 years to allow its full potential to develop.  Despite this, everyone at our table went back for a second (and sometimes, third) pour.

Rating: Delish (at the moment)    Price: AUD 160