Wine Advisor
Henschke, Hill Of Grace Shiraz 2012
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2012 Hill of Grace Shiraz is a little reticent on the nose to begin, opening out to a somewhat paradoxically tantalizing Black Forest cake, beef dripping, fertile loam and tree bark nose with hints of black pepper, Marmite, bay leaves, eucalyptus, licorice and baker’s chocolate. The medium to full-bodied palate is a wonderfully intricate mélange of mineral, savory, dark fruits and spice layers, framed by velvety tannins and refreshing acidity, finishing epically. This is a truly great Hill of Grace that has just entered the first stage of its drinking window and should continue to develop beautifully over the next 25+ years.
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Deep, shimmering purple. Displays an array of ripe, mineral-accented black and blue fruit preserve, floral, tobacco and spice qualities on the hugely perfumed nose. Stains the palate with sweet, penetrating blueberry, Chambord, cherry liqueur and fruitcake flavors that take on vanilla, espresso and smoky mineral nuances as the wine stretches out. Conveys a jaw-dropping exhibition of power and restraint and finishes extremely long, sweet and precise, with smooth tannins framing lingering dark fruit and lavender pastille notes. This wine's marriage of depth to delicacy is something else.
About the Producer
Henschkes family name and reputation are now being upheld by the fifth generation, Stephen and his wife Prue. Stephen is the biochemist and winemaker and Prue is the viticulturist. Over the past 14 years, Prue`s viticultural management has breathed new life into the vineyards, which fully capitalise on some of the most remarkable old vine material in the world. Both Stephen and Prue continue to craft their white wines with a focus on purity, while their red wines have a strong focus on terroir, using traditional winemaking techniques. The highly sought-after Hill of Grace is the product of vines planted in the 1860s and is Australia's greatest single vineyard Shiraz. HIil of Grace and Mount Edelstone are arguably the two oldest single vineyard wines produced in Australia that tell the wine story of Australia. Henschke Rieslings are the finest in the Eden Valley and amongst the very best in Australia.
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