Henschke George 5th Grenache 2022

Product Information: Super fragrant aromas of cherry blossom, ginger-spiced red berries and raspberry all woven together with cedar, vanilla and dried herbs. Luscious red plum, dark cherry and rhubarb. All complemented with nutmeg and white pepper. Fine, silky tannins on the finish. Georg Heidenreich was ordained as a pastor in Hanover in 1866 in the presence of George V and the royal family, where Martin Luther, father of the Reformation, was ordained in 1507. Georg married Anna Meyer, and arrived at Port Adelaide later that year. Their new home for the next 44 years was the Manse in Bethany in the Barossa Valley. Subsequent generations settled in nearby Vine Vale on the deep sands of the North Para River and planted the now 80-year-old bush-vine grenache, which thrives in this environment producing exemplary delicious fragrance, elegance and lithe tannins. Maker: The prestigious Australian winery Henschke has remained a family-owned establishment for over 153 years and six generations. Situated in Keyneton, South Australia, within the esteemed Eden Valley wine region, Henschke proudly stands as a distinguished member of Australia’s First Families of Wine. Since its inception in 1862, when Johann Christian Henschke planted a modest vineyard in Keyneton, the Henschke family has continuously crafted exceptional wines, forging a legacy of excellence with vineyards in the Eden Valley, Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills, including acclaimed single-vineyards, Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone. The fifth-generation winemaker Stephen Carl Henschke and his viticulturist wife Prue took over the operation of the winery in 1979 and they are recognised around the world for their exceptional quality wines, innovative spirit, focus on restoring native vegetation, organic and biodynamic practices in the vineyard. Johann Stephen Henschke, the eldest of Stephen and Prue’s three children has become the sixth generation member of the Henschke family since 1983. With the background of higher education in wine making, viticulture and oenology, Johann is now based at the family winery as winemaker and viticulturist while playing an important role of transferring his skill set and knowledge from the fifth to sixth generation. As the next generation prepares to navigate the well-documented challenges that lie ahead, Johann recognizes the indispensability of innovation and meticulous strategic planning. However, amidst these considerations, he firmly believes in upholding the time-honoured winemaking techniques that have been cherished by the Henschke family for generations. By ensuring that the legacy of Henschke is nurtured with the same prudence and care as it has always been, Johann and his peers can pass on a heritage that will endure and command the same esteemed reputation that it enjoys today. Vineyard: The 2022 season started with above average winter rainfall helped to refill soil profiles and the cool, slow start to the growing season resulted in budburst occurring slightly later than average. A frost event occurred on 11 October, followed by an extreme hail event on the 28th October, and the cold and wet weather mid-November coincided with flowering, and impacted fruit-set and potential yields December and January provided a burst of summer heat, however at the beginning of vintage another severe weather event dealt a deluge of rain and even more hail to some parts of the region. While mild and dry conditions followed, the cumulative impacts of the season’s weather events resulted in lower yields across the region. The 2022 wines show great aromatics, balance of acidity and a bright core of flavour. Nose – Strawberries, Cream, Spices A detailed, ginger-spiced rendition of grenache that offers pure red cherry and raspberry fruit tones, edged with notes of citrus blossom, red liquorice, earth. Palate – Raspberry, Citrus Blossom, Red Liquorice There is a sense of space and light shining in on the fruit here, a detail to the red fruits and spice. Finish – Powdered Stone Tannins, Earth, Gingerbread Spice Poised with a lovely spiced red-fruit wash, powdered stone tannins and a minerally cadence. Showing great length, this is harmonious, approachable and surely destined for a long life of ten years in any decent cellar. An absolutely cracking Barossa Grenache. Line this up next to some top Rhône examples of this variety and it will immediately become obvious what stunning value this is having spend eight months in seasoned French oak. This is a pale yet vibrant purple. For the nose, think strawberries and cream, spices, florals, bay leaves and red fruits. Excellent focus here, through to a very fine, if ever-so-slightly grainy tannins. Showing great length, this is harmonious, approachable and surely destined for a long life of ten years in any decent cellar.