Australia is home to several of the world’s greatest wine estates and most iconic wines. Henschke remains one of the greatest producers in not only Australia, but the world.
Order by midday, Wednesday 30th September
Founded in 1868 and now in its sixth generation of family ownership, this remarkable estate has played a defining role in demonstrating just how profound and age-worthy the wines of South Australia can be. At its pinnacle sits Hill of Grace, produced from an extraordinary vineyard containing shiraz vines planted in the 1860s, alongside Mount Edelstone, first planted in 1912 and now celebrating 70 vintages.
Today these are firmly established among the great fine wines of the world, combining uniquely Australian character with the elegance, complexity and longevity expected of the very best. Having tasted the 2022s, I have been very excited about this release, and I am not the only one:
'This is a beautiful wine, and one of the most lovely Mount Edelstone Vineyard Shirazes I have tasted on release. I love the wines from the 2022 vintage; it may forever live in the shadow of the great 2021 vintage that came before it, but not in my heart'. – Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate (on Mount Edelstone 2022)
'Beautifully balanced on the palate, showing a graceful arc of travel, the fine tannins melting away into the fruit. The finish stretches out persistently, all detail and elegance'. – Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion (on Mount Edelstone 2022)
'Australia's finest and most famous single-site shiraz'. – Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion (on Hill of Grace 2022)
The growing season was not without its challenges, but ultimately the conditions were excellent for elegant and complex wines. A severe October hailstorm significantly reduced yields in Henschke’s Eden Valley vineyards. However, the relatively mild summer and a late harvest, around one to two weeks behind the historical average, allowed flavour to develop while retaining freshness and acidity. The resulting wines have remarkable aromatic intensity and concentration, but what really distinguishes them is their poise. They are powerful without heaviness, with beautiful freshness, detail and a wonderfully clear sense of place.
'The cooler vintage that was 2022 has birthed a tranche of wines of great delicacy and "fluffiness"/freshness. They are wonderful wines – I like the vintage so much'. Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate.
Quantities are particularly limited, following the hail losses, but the quality is sky high. These are wines built to evolve over decades. For collectors of Australia’s greatest wines, 2022 presents an opportunity to secure a superb vintage from one of the country’s most historic and celebrated estates but one which will doubtless be in short supply in years to come. It’s well worth securing your allocation of these prized wines now given the inevitable rarity.
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