1986 Henschke Hill of Grace Museum Release
Notes sourced from Henschke.
Grape Variety: 100% shiraz grapes from pre-phylloxera material brought from Europe by the early settlers in the mid 1800s and grown in the Eden Valley wine region.
Background: Hill of Grace is a unique delineated single historic vineyard. The famous century-old Hill of Grace vines were planted around the 1860s by an ancestor, Nicolaus Stanitzki, in rich alluvial soil in a shallow fertile valley just north-west of the winery. The vineyard lies opposite a beautiful old Lutheran Church, built of local field stone, which was euphoniously name Gnadenberg, meaning ‘Hill of Grace’.
Vintage Description: After a relatively dry winter there were welcome late rains. Spring was mild providing perfect conditions for flowering and berry set followed by a cool dry summer, ideal for ripening. The vintage proved exceptional quality with good yields.
Nicks Tasting Notes: 09/11/1998: Deep crimson colour. Aromas of confectionary, cherry, plum and spice with a hint of herbs and tea leaf in the background. Superb fruit structure - the palate displays ripe flavours of plum, stewed fruit, leather spice and cedar - multi layered. Perfect balance, fine dry tannins with very long leather spice and cedar aftertaste. Cellar 5-8 years. An outstanding wine.
Retasted from a Magnum: 09/11/1998: Opaque crimson colour. Magnificent nose, perfumed, filled with aromas of confectionary, spice, liquorice, violets and vanilla. The palate flavours are equally joyous - superb ripe fruit in abundance. Ripe plums, chocolate, spice, liquorice and toasted oak - all superbly meshed into a long and concentrated tasting experience. Excellent length, soft tannins and long liquorice and spice aftertaste.
Retasted July 2002: A superb essay of elegance, from this very old vineyard. Bright crimson colour. Superb aroma of chocolate, spice and confectionary, showing great refinement. In the background there are hints of violets and a tarry end note, but it in no way detracts from the wine. The palate structure is at its peak of refinement, still expressing wonderful first layers over a background of cedar, spice, confectionary and blackcurrant. Velvet smooth tannins, with exceptionally long aftertaste.
Cellar 8-10 years (2010-2012) Prue Henschke pictured left.size>
Henschke Tasting Notes: Brick red in colour. Complex, with sweet plums and cherries, showing exotic leather, mint, cocoa and vanilla aromas. The palate is sweet and rich with soft mid-notes, velvety tannins and great length.
Cellaring Potential: Exceptional vintage, optimum year 2011. Reviewed April 2002. Decant before serving.
Alcohol: 12.5%