Henschke 'Hill of Grace' Eden Valley Shiraz 2015
The Henschke eight-hectare 'Hill of Grace' vineyard is situated four kilometres northwest of Henschke Cellars beside the beautiful Gnadenberg Lutheran Church. ‘Gnadenberg’ means ‘Hill of Grace’ in German. First planted in 1860, it was purchased by second-generation Paul Gotthard Henschke in 1891, but it was not until 1958 that winemaker Cyril Henschke made the first single-vineyard Shiraz from the grapes grown here. The red-brown earth over a deep silty loam has excellent moisture-holding capacity for these old, ungrafted, dry-grown vines, which sit at an altitude of 400 metres. Organic and biodynamic practices in the vineyard are supported with under vine mulching and permanent cover crops. Henschke's 2015 Hill of Grace is made from 100% hand-picked, old-vine Shiraz. It was vinified in traditional open-top fermenters and aged in 86% French and 14% American (one-third new, two-thirds seasoned) oak hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling on-site. Hill of Grace is one of Australia's most collectible wines and the 2015 vintage is headily scented with aromas of plum and blackberry supported by enticing inflections of star anise and exotic five spice. On the palate, it is characteristically full-bodied yet displays exquisite finesse with velveteen tannins and an enchanting texture. Its core of succulent wild berry fruit and liquorice is underpinned by fine, juicy freshness, framed by beautifully seasoned cedary oak; all the hallmarks of a superb wine with a promising future ahead.
