Tasting Notes
JancisRobinson.com 16.5+
Full screwcapped bottle 1,283 g. This is not a single-vineyard release but was included in my box of samples by UK importer Liberty Wines (the 2018 is already released in Australia). 62% Shiraz, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot from Eden Valley and Barossa Valley. Aged for 18 months in 85% French and 15% American oak of which 19% was new. For more background see this wine of the week. Stephen Henschke reiterates that, although this blend contains quite a portion of grapes bought in, including some from Barossa Valley, the growers of them tend to be friends of the family. Although this is different in its ingredients, this wine very much exhibits the subtle, polished, Henschke style of winemaking with freshness and salinity and perfectly ripened fruit with a super-clean finish. It may not be quite as long as the single-vineyard wines but the pricing is fair relative to them.
Anticipated maturity: 2022-2030
