Product Information:
The 2018 Henschke Hill of Roses Shiraz is made from 100% 29-year-old shiraz, grown on one single block at the Henschke Hill of Grace Vineyard in the Eden Valley wine region, managed with organic and biodynamic practices. At nearly 30 years old, the vines are considered 'too young' to be used in Hill of Grace, thus this wine represents outstanding value being what many consider as 'declassified' Hill of Grace. Matured in 29% new and 75% seasoned French oak hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling.
Huon Hooke from Real Review, describes the Hill of Roses 2018 as 'more aerial and refined than the Hill of Grace, and a shade less powerful.' So expect more lifted and elegant shiraz compared to its bigger brother - deep ruby with ruby hues, fragrant aromas of blackberry, wild red berries, blueberry, star anise and pepper, with hints of vanilla pod, sage, bay leaf, crushed herbs and cooking spices. The palate is rich and textural, with a vibrant core of blueberry, redcurrant and black cherry, supported by rosemary, thyme, anise, pepper and cedar, and beautifully balanced by lifted acidity, offering excellent depth and length, with amazingly fine velvety 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:
2018 had moderately wet winter combined with average spring conditions meant that the vines grew well in the mild weather, ideal flowering conditions in late spring/early summer led to the potential for near average yields. Late December became warm and dry, ensuring healthy canopies with low disease pressure. The summer months of January and February were typically warm and dry, characterised by above-average overnight temperatures. The old-vine vineyards coped well with the warm nights, their deep roots able to withstand the warming and drying effect on the topsoil, maturing the balanced crops as autumn approached. March and April provided light and warmth to the Eden Valley which led to full and balanced maturity being achieved across all grape varieties. With warm sunny days and cool nights, the dry autumn guaranteed that pristinely healthy grapes arrived in the fermenters. All in all, the 2018 vintage will be considered a standout of the decade, Shiraz was certainly one of the highlights of the season, this year marks Henschke's 150th anniversary of family winemaking.
Nose - Highly Floral, Multilayered, Sage & Marjoram
Highly floral and multi-layered, lifted and aromatic, with traces of lavender and various fragrant herbs, including sage and marjoram, and a left-field note of nutmeg.
Palate - Dark Fruits, Milk Chocolate, Wood Spices
A dark and deep red of intense depth, stewed fruits, toasted hazelnuts, rose water elements, exotic spice, milk chocolate and licks of salt bush and bay leaf with piquant lavender lift
Finish - Exotic Spice, Fine-Boned Tannin, Salt Bush Savouriness
Wonderful texture, and with that depth, a grace, of course, that feels so even and long.
Hill of Roses stands alone with its joyous, aromatic-led personality, its warmth wrapped in dark fruits earth and woods spices, its balance and its length. To borrow from the maker a long, linear, cool line of tannin makes for a relaxed and inviting wine. - Jeni Port, Winepilot, 98 Points
Deep and full, bold and youthful red with a good purple tint, the bouquet is highly floral and multi-layered, lifted and aromatic, with traces of lavender and various fragrant herbs, including sage and marjoram, and a left-field note of nutmeg (from oak?). Background smoky char-oak and gunpowder traces. The wine is lusciously full and fine-boned in the mouth with sneaky depth and concentration. The texture is finely woven and beautifully harmonious. More aerial and refined than the Hill of Grace, and a shade less powerful. - Huon Hooke, The Real Review, 96 Points.
From the ‘younger’ vines, too young for Hill of Grace per se. A work in progress, claim the Henschke’s, which is great at 30 years old for the vines! No American oak here. Concentration and succulent. A dark and deep red of intense depth, stewed fruits, toasted hazelnuts, rose water elements, exotic spice, milk chocolate and licks of salt bush and bay leaf with piquant lavender lift – what an array of characters here! Wonderful texture, and with that depth, a grace, of course, that feels so even and long. Glorious stuff, in a riper, richer vein. - Mike Bennie, The Wine Front, 95 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Shiraz
Country - Australia
Region - Eden Valley, South Australia
Vintage - 2018
Bottle Size - 1.5L
ABV - 14.5%
