Wine Advisor
Henschke, Hill Of Grace Shiraz 2006
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2006 Hill of Grace has some oak poking through the red and blue fruit aromas, with underlying toast, marmite and sage hints. Medium to full-bodied, it is a very tight knit and youthful wine with crisp acid, medium to firm, finely grained tannins and a long finish. Drink it 2014 to 2030+. Importer: Negociants USA, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-0993
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Hill of Grace is 100% Shiraz from pre-phylloxera material brought from Europe by the early German settlers in the mid 1800s and grown in the Eden Valley. Some of the original vines are over 145 years old. Matured in new French (65%) and American (35%) hogsheads for 21 months, the deep garnet purple colored 2006 Hill of Grace presents an incredibly perfumed, ethereal nose of warm crushed blackberries, rose petals, kirsch, violets, cinnamon stick, mace, fennel seed, eucalypt and damp earth. Very crisp and rich in the mouth with medium-firm velvety tannins and tons of fleshy fruit, it displays opulent layers of warm berries and spice in the finish. This is staggeringly beautiful wine and delectably approachble even at this very early stage. I anticipate this great vintage will cellar to 2025+. Importer: Negociants USA, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-0993
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Inky purple. Intensely perfumed aromas of cassis, blueberry, violet and fruitcake, with smoke and Indian spice notes adding complexity. Sweet and penetrating, offering an array of dark fruit and floral flavors that are lifted and sharpened by juicy acidity. Dusty tannins come on late and are no match for this wine's vibrant, deeply pitched fruit, which clings on the finish with remarkable tenacity.
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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