Australia’s most celebrated single-vineyard wine arrives in usual limited quantities for the ultra premium market – 27 March 2009
The 2005 vintage of Australia’s most celebrated single-vineyard wine, Henschke Hill of Grace, will be available from fine wine stores and restaurants around the country from the 2 April, 2009. According to winemaker Stephen Henschke, the wine is exceptional.
“2005 in the Eden Valley was picture book perfect. We had good rains in winter and in summer; a balmy spring and our newly installed frost fans saved us from several frosts. The ripening period was perfect with colours, flavours, concentration, and maturity figures matched only by the legendary 2002 wine.”
“ I would go so far as to say 2005 may be the best Hill of Grace we have ever made, “
The mystique of Hill of Grace belongs in part to the romance of capturing the essence of one year on one tiny Eden Valley vineyard; in part to the incomparable berries delivered by 149 year old vines, and in part to the incredible history of the Henschke family, who planted their first vineyard in 1868 and in the last two generations have taken the Hill of Grace from infancy to legend.
The Hill of Grace has always been a labour of love; from its creation by the visionary Cyril Henschke in 1958 when single vineyard, single varietal wines were rare to now, when there is just 4ha of shiraz vines to produce one of the world’s most sought after wines.
Ultimately though it all comes down to the wine. According to Stephen, the 2005 Hill of Grace is stunning. “The old vines have delivered magnificent texture, complexity and hine velvety tannins and the palate is lush with notes of blackberry, mulberry, plum, spices, tar, anise and cedar. This vintage has great structure, depth, length and intensity and will cellar until 2025.”
The Henschke’s have taken several steps to protect the heritage of their ancient vines, 20 years ago planting a mass selection, nursery research block with genetic copies of the best of the old vines for future generations. By 2011 their vineyards will be certified organic using biodynamic practices.
On April 2, 2009, the Henschke’s will also release the 2006 vintages of their highly prized single vineyard wines, Mount Edelstone Shiraz and Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon. These wines are highly rated on the collector’s benchmark, Langton’s Wine Classification of Australian Wine.