Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz 1994

Product Info: At the time, 1994 was one of their best years on record. On release it had deep brooding spicy perfumed bouquet of plums, prunes, licorice and blackberries supported by hints of vanillin and eucalypt. A rich intense and complex palate with soft silky textured tannins, a fine acidity giving excellent depth and length. In 2013, Huon Hooke it was confirms it was an excellent year, still drinking well at that stage he described it as “…intensity married with great elegance.” Truly a release that epitomises the Hill of Grace as a style. Comprised of 100% shiraz grapes from pre-phylloxera material brought from Europe by the early settlers in the mid-1800s and grown on the Hill of Grace vineyard in the Eden Valley. Matured in new French and American hogsheads for 21 months prior to blending and bottling. Over 180 years ago, Johann Christian Henschke came from Silesia to settle and build his farm in the Eden Valley region. By the time third-generation Paul Alfred Henschke took over the reins in 1914, the now famed Hill of Grace vines were more than 50 years old. The original vines, known as the ‘Grandfathers’, were planted around 1860 by an ancestor, Nicolaus Stanitzki, in rich alluvial soil in a shallow fertile valley just north-west of the Henschke family winery. The red-brown earth grading to deep silty loam has excellent moisture-holding capacity for these dry-grown vines, that sit at an altitude of 400m, with an average rainfall of 520mm. Hill of Grace is a unique, delineated, historic single vineyard that lies opposite a beautiful old Lutheran church. 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: Due to a mild dry summer there was quite a late, slow start to vintage. March temperatures were mild to high, which had a dramatic affect causing everything to ripen at once. The fruit quality was just fantastic, with below average yields and fabulous colours, flavours and acid balance in the reds. The 1994 was one of their best years on record. Nose – Stewed Plums, Dried Berries & Spices, Potpourri Offers notes of stewed plums, dried berries and baking spices with nuances of aniseed, vanilla and potpourri. Palate – Concentrated Berries, Crisp Acid, Grainy Tannins The primary fruit is still evident on the palate with lovely red cherry and raspberry nuances. Finish – Baking Spices, Pepper, Cedar Spices Grainy tannins, packed with layered dried berry and spice flavours before finishing long with tonnes of fruit. Deep brick-coloured, the 1994 Hill of Grace offers notes of stewed plums, dried berries and baking spices with nuances of aniseed, vanilla and potpourri. Medium to full-bodied, it has great concentration and structure in the mouth, with crisp acid plus firm, grainy tannins, and is packed with layered, dried berry and spice flavours before finishing long with tons of remaining fruit. This wine still has many years to go. – Lisa