Product Information:
Patience rewarded. Believe it or not, the 2014 Mount Edelstone was released before the 2013. Campbell Mattinson writes 'Unlike the 2014, which could be consumed and enjoyed any time you pleased, the 2013 needed a bit of love and understanding before it’ll be properly ready to shine.' And shine it does. Enjoy Lifted aromas of sage, bay leaf, black popper, brown baking spices, plum pudding and blue fruits are woven together with charcuterie and earthy notes. And that's just the nose. So much pleasure to be had here, and there's still plenty of time to go.
The beautiful and historic name Mount Edelstone is a translation from the German Edelstein meaning 'gemstone', a reference to the small yellow opals once found in the area. The Mount Edelstone Vineyard was planted in 1912 by Ronald Angas, a descendant of George Fife Angas who founded The South Australian Company and played a significant role in the formation and establishment of South Australia. Unusual for its time, the vineyard was planted solely to shiraz. The ancient 500-million-year-old geology in the vineyard has given rise to soils that are deep red-brown clay-loam to clay, resulting in low yields from the dry grown, ungrafted centenarian vines, first bottled as a single-vineyard wine in 1952 by fourth generation Cyril Henschke. By the time Cyril purchased the vineyard from Colin Angus in 1974, Mount Edelstone was already well entrenched as one of Australia's greatest shiraz wines, Crafted by the Henschke family for over 65 years now, Mount Edelstone is arguably the longest consecutively-produced, single-vineyard wine in Australia.
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.
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.
Vintage:
The lead-up to the 2013 vintage in Eden Valley featured an early summer with occasional thunderstorms and only four heat spikes above 40 degrees. A cooler January followed by a warm February accelerated the anticipated early vintage. Despite a dry winter, spring, and summer, the winery was rightly optimistic about producing excellent Riesling and old-vine Shiraz. A much-needed 16mm of rain in early March helped the dry-grown vines reach full maturity. March brought a mix of hot and cold weather, and cool drizzly conditions nearly delayed the harvest. However, a return to Indian summer in early April allowed for the successful harvest of late varieties, resulting in another vintage marked by average yields and exceptional quality.
Nose - Dusty Terracotta Earth, Red Fruits, Smoked Meats
Bouquet evoking red fruits, smoked meats, dusty terracotta earth and roasting pan aromas, with savoury/oaky overtones.
Palate - Earth, Blue & Black Berries, Bresaola
You still get plenty of fruit (and oak), with blue and black berries rolling through the palate, a sizeable hit of coffee-bean oak, mint/peppercorn notes and florals.
Finish - Dried Herbs, Liquorice, Coffee Bean
There’s a liquorice character but it’s not sweet; it’s almost earthen and dry.
The 61st vintage, from 101yo ungrafted dry-grown vines, matured for 18 months in 81% French and 19% American hogsheads (34% new). The decision to hold back the release of this shiraz until after the '14 was correct - this is a densely packed wine destined for a long life as vertical tastings have proved again and again, intensity and focus achieved without apparent effort. Medium-bodied, but with compelling black fruits riding on the back of tannins and carefully measured oak. - James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion, 97 points.
Still a bit tight and cedary, the 2013 Mount Edelstone Shiraz could use a couple of more years to flesh out and round into form. Sage and blackberry notes predominate in this full-bodied, concentrated and richly tannic offering. It still comes across as slightly drying on the finish, but it's velvety, and the fruit comes through at the end, so don't hesitate to hold onto this for a decade or more. - Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, 96 points.
Deep ruby/brick-red colour, the bouquet evoking smoked meats, dusty terracotta earth and roasting pan aromas, with savoury/oaky overtones. In the mouth it’s full-bodied and again very dry, savoury and layered with terracotta, bresaola, seed spices and dried herbs galore. Tannins are supple and abundant, still providing a good backbone but mellowing out nicely. It's in a good place right now but has plenty of time left. - Huon Hooke, The Real Review, 96 Points.
"When the 2014 Mount Edelstone Shiraz was released we reported: “Henschke has decided to release the 2014 Mount Edelstone Shiraz ahead of the 2013. “The 2013 needs patience,” Stephen Henschke says. “It is a structural beauty, though slower developing. After only three years (the 2014) is perfectly poised for release, already showing the hallmark characters of this vineyard.” That was in January of this year. It’s not quite a year on but it’s not far off. It’s abundantly clear as to why this was held back. It’s ever-so-sturdy. It’s a centre-half-back of a wine; it’s the spine around which a team can be formed. You still get plenty of fruit (and oak), with blue and black berries rolling through the palate, a sizeable hit of coffee-bean oak, mint/peppercorn notes and florals. There’s a liquorice character but it’s not sweet; it’s almost earthen and dry. You can see this wine maturing – under screwcap especially – for an extremely long time. There’s a gentle waver to the mid-palate as it steels itself for the tannic assault of the finish but it’s of little concern. Unlike the 2014, which could be consumed and enjoyed any time you pleased, this 2013 needs a bit of love and understanding before it’ll be properly ready to shine." - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 94+ Points.
Sumptuous, generous, beautifully ripe red fruit on the nose – just so alluring and buxom, with serious structure and a long fragrant perfume on the finish. Sheer class, with cellaring potential that is only just beginning. - Richard Hemming MW, Jancis Robinson, 18/20 Points (A Cut Above Superior)
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Shiraz
Country - Australia
Region - Eden Valley, South Australia
Vintage - 2013
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14.5%
