Wine Advisor
Henschke, Hill Of Grace Shiraz 2002
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Deep garnet in color, the 2002 Hill of Grace has an entrancing nose with profound aromas of warm black cherries, crushed blackberries and mulberries plus a touch of wild blueberries and hints of allspice, violets and toast. It is full-bodied, rich and seductive in the mouth, and yet it has lovely poise with a crisp acid line and a medium to firm level of fine-grained tannins plus great length. Delicious now, it will reward the patient and should drink to 2040+. Importer: Negociants USA, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-0993
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
One of Australia’s legendary icons is Henschke’s Shiraz Hill of Grace. The 2002 is 100% Shiraz aged 18 months in 100% new French and American oak. It boasts an inky/blue/purple color as well as extraordinary uplifted aromatics of acacia flowers, ground pepper, espresso roast, blackberries, cassis, chocolate, and smoke. This stacked and packed, full-bodied Shiraz possesses formidable concentration, moderately high but silky tannin, and a finish that exceeds one minute. A modern day legend, it should easily evolve for 20-25 years. Importer: Negociants USA, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-0993
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Ruby-red. Kaleidoscopic, intensely perfumed nose offers red and dark berries, strong Asian spices and pungent herbs, with licorice, mocha and a sexy rose quality emerging with aeration. Lush and creamy, with deeply concentrated but fresh cherry and cassis flavors accented by vanilla bean and exotic chocolate. The finish features slow-building tannins and lingering traces of dark berries, vanilla and roasted coffee. Wonderfully suave, balanced and pure wine with the depth to age but the sex appeal to give early pleasure.
About the Producer
Henschkes family name and reputation are now being upheld by the fifth generation, Stephen and his wife Prue. Stephen is the biochemist and winemaker and Prue is the viticulturist. Over the past 14 years, Prue`s viticultural management has breathed new life into the vineyards, which fully capitalise on some of the most remarkable old vine material in the world. Both Stephen and Prue continue to craft their white wines with a focus on purity, while their red wines have a strong focus on terroir, using traditional winemaking techniques. The highly sought-after Hill of Grace is the product of vines planted in the 1860s and is Australia's greatest single vineyard Shiraz. HIil of Grace and Mount Edelstone are arguably the two oldest single vineyard wines produced in Australia that tell the wine story of Australia. Henschke Rieslings are the finest in the Eden Valley and amongst the very best in Australia.
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