Henschke Johanne Ida Selma Blanc de Noir MD

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.

Henschke's commitment to excellence and sustainable wine production has garnered well-deserved recognition and accolades. In 2021, the winery was honoured as the Wine Enthusiast New World Winery of the Year, a testament to their exceptional craftsmanship and dedication to pushing the boundaries of winemaking in the New World. Furthermore, Henschke was also named the Winery of the Year by the prestigious Halliday Wine Companion, solidifying their position as a leader in the industry. Additionally, Henschke's unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmentally conscious practices has been acknowledged with the prestigious Robert Parker Wine Advocate Green Emblem. This recognition highlights their remarkable efforts in reducing environmental impact while producing outstanding wines. Henschke's unwavering pursuit of excellence and dedication to sustainable practices make them a true icon in the world of wine.

In 1997, Stephen and Prue embarked on a journey to handcraft an ultra-premium sparkling wine from pinot noir and selected only the finest fruit from specific clones and sites suited for this purpose at the Henschke Lenswood Vineyard. The vineyard contains some of the oldest pinot noir vines in the Adelaide Hills. The first release in 2008 celebrated Henschke’s 140th anniversary. This limited sixth release is a blend across 20 exceptional pinot noir vintages all matured on tirage. It is a true expression of its site and celebrates over 150 years of Henschke family winemaking.

This sparkling is named as a tribute to adored matriarch Johanne Ida Selma, whose grandfather Nicolaus Stanitzki planted the first vines on the Hill of Grace Vineyard. Selma married third-generation winemaker Paul Alfred Henschke in 1907, entwining the family histories for all time. The youngest of Selma and Alfred’s twelve children, Cyril became the fourth-generation Henschke winemaker. Hand-selected pinot noir was whole-bunch pressed, settled, cool fermented and underwent malolactic fermentation; the wine was subsequently bottle fermented and left on lees in bottle to age. Multiple vintages from 1997 to 2016 were combined in an assemblage-style blend in August 2019, as a multi-vintage, mature disgorged blanc de noir. The wine is sealed under a stainless steel closure to allow the wine to knit together and retain its bottle-age complexity.

Pale straw-gold with golden hues. Complex aromas of citrus blossom, lemon curd, green plum skin and toasted brioche. A very fine bead in the glass gives rise to a lovely creamy mousse on the palate that feels at once lively and elegant. Complex flavours of green strawberry, lemon pith, crème brûlée and roasted cashew are balanced by bright, clean acidity and a mineral, slate texture providing focus, finesse and excellent length.

A '19 assemblage of reserve pinot noir from '97 to '16. Wonderful bright straw hue with a glint of green; it's floral, citrussy and so fresh yet layers of flavour. Nougat, creamed honey and vanilla cream all reined in by fine acidity. - Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion, 95 points

Light yellow colour, with a mellow nougat and cashew nut aroma, soft and shows some development, which contributes to its considerable complexity, the palate fluffy-textured and round, creamy and highly enjoyable. The finish is dry and cleansing, with soft acidity. (A multi-vintage blend. MD stands for mature disgorged). - Huon Hooke, The Real Review, 93 Points

The Finer Details
Style - Sparkling Wine
Varietal - Pinot Noir
Country - Australia
Region - Barossa Valley, South Australia
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 11.5%