Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz 2010

Product Information:

The 2010 vintage of Hill of Grace is perfectly described by the word 'radiance'. Temperature, rainfall and harvest dates are often talked about when describing a vintage, but rarely is light mentioned. Fundamentally, light is one of the most important influences on the quality of the wine. The 2010 is all about the light. The growing season had more blue-sky days than cloudy, and the well-balanced, open canopies of the old vines allowed the light through to the ripening berries to develop exceptional flavour, colour and tannins. Furthermore, the weather patterns of the growing season were relatively moderate, with well-timed minor rainfall events that provided perfectly for this single vineyard.

The 2010 Hill of Grace Shiraz is radiant, vibrant and opulent, with characteristic exotic spices, layers of texture, and refined silky tannins with incredible length. It starts with an alluring nose of exotic spices, cracked black pepper, licorice, sage and crushed herbs, complemented by sweeter notes of blackberry, plum and cedar. The complex palate has dark, brooding flavours, rich layers, texture and balance of natural acidity, while the refined, silky tannins provide incredible length. The vintage is rated as 'exceptional' and the wine will develop beautifully over the years to come.

This is 100% shiraz grapes from pre-phylloxera material brought from Europe by the early settlers in the mid-1800s and grown organically and biodynamically on the Hill of Grace vineyard in the Eden Valley. Matured in 65% new and 35% seasoned (95% French and 5% American) hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling. 

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 2010 growing season was preceded by above average winter rainfall. Spring was mild with little frost damage and allowing for even budburst. The weather remained cold and wet through spring, which held back growth until a two-week high 30s heat wave in November affected flowering and fruit set. Spring rains continued into early summer right through until mid-December, making it the wettest year since 2005. The vines responded to the heat and grew vigorously until early January, developing lush canopies, but bunch development suffered as a result. A roller-coaster ride of heat spikes and cool changes continued through a warm summer with occasional thunderstorms. The vines went through veraison a week earlier than 2009. Lower yields coupled with the mild ripening period resulted in concentrated fruit. Vintage began a week earlier than 2009 and was in full swing by mid-February. The white vintage was all but finished a month later while the red harvest continued with deeply coloured, well-balanced grapes being picked during mild, dry conditions until the end of April.

Nose - Tamarillo, Dark Berry Fruits, Dried Herbs
Showstopping aromas – smoked meat, juicy blackberry fruit and dustings of black pepper.

Palate - Juicy Briar, Blackcurrants, Charcuterie
An explosive wine in the mouth, the palate tremendously intense and concentrated, powerful and penetrating, with seemingly endless length. 

Finish - Mocha, Leather, Spice
This has the rare quality of the finest wines, where the flavour transcends description and you just have pure pleasure instead. Extraordinary.

Deep, dark red colour with a marked purple tint. The bouquet is very powerful and loaded with mint, tamarillo, eucalyptus and both red and dark berry aromas. An explosive wine in the mouth, the palate tremendously intense and concentrated, powerful and penetrating, with seemingly endless length. Very alive and infused with refreshing and balanced acidity, this extraordinary wine tastes as though it could live forever. Certainly one of the best Hill of Grace releases. Only time will reveal if it is the best ever. (65% new oak, 95% of it French) To be released May 2015. - Huon Hooke, The Real Review, 99 Points.

A fine, intricate web of tannins harnesses equally intricate layers of flavour which build steadily. Juniper, dried herbs, liquorice, charcuterie and a hint of eucalyptus are filled out by sweet, juicy briar on the attack, creamy, mocha-edged framboise to the mid-palate and deep-set, very persistent blackcurrant. Very long, and very fluid. - Sarah Ahmed, Decanter, 98 Points.

This release is both a beauty, and not for everyone. It’s complex and fascinating and more than a little mesmerising. I can honestly say that I loved the time I spent with it. But it also has notes of truffle and heightened blackcurrant, and not everyone appreciates said flavours. We move on. We’re swept forward. The licorice, the leather, the lace of stem and tannin. It feels cool climate and warm climate at once, in a beautiful way. It rocks and it rolls. It will mature beautifully, perhaps even profoundly, its rolls of complex flavour gradually unfurled and unveiled. - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 96 Points.

Showstopping aromas – smoked meat, juicy blackberry fruit and dustings of black pepper. Wonderful aromatic range. Minty hints, but nothing dominates; there is perfect harmony and gentleness. This has the rare quality of the finest wines, where the flavour transcends description and you just have pure pleasure instead. Extraordinary. - Richard Hemming MW, Jancis Robinson, 19/20 Points. 

The Finer Details

Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Shiraz
Country - Australia
Region - Eden Valley, South Australia
Vintage - 2010
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14.5%