2016 Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz

From vines planted in 1912, the 2016 Mount Edelstone Shiraz was matured in 80% French and 20% American hogsheads (19% new) for a period of 18 months.

Dense midnight black in colour with a very deep dark red black hue. Intoxicating aromas of dark plum, liquorice, blackberry and mocha soar out of the glass with tremendous intensity. Vanillin cedar, earth, fennel and spicy pepper notes then chime in to add further complexity. Rich, refined and exceptionally long, the silky textured palate is awash with spicy dark plum, liquorice, blackberry and mocha flavours. Lying beneath the wealth of fruit are vanillin cedar, earth, faint leather and pepper characters. Cashmere like tannins are seamlessly integrated into the long powerful conclusion. This is world class Shiraz by any standard.
Drink over the next 8-10 years.
Alc. 14.5%

Other Reviews…..
This has intense spice and sage, as well as bay-leaf aromas with intense, vivid blackberries and red plums. Blueberry notes, too. There’s so much spice, violet and bergamot, together with black tea-like notes. The palate has an immaculately framed tannin structure with rich blackberries and blueberries, as well as plum notes. This layers up so nicely on the palate. Very intense and powerful yet fine texture. An exceptional vintage for Mt. Edelstone. From vines planted in 1912. Drink or hold.
98 points
JamesSuckling.com

The vineyard was planted in 1912, hand-picked, matured in 80% French and 20% American hogsheads (19% new). The vintage was challenging, but this shiraz shows no sign of that. It is full-bodied, very complex and very long, the tannins expertly massaged and drawn under the fruit. Blackberry, tar and bitter dark chocolate all contribute to what will be a very long-lived wine. Drink by 2051.
97 points
James Halliday's Wine Companion (March 2020)

The 2016 Mount Edelstone Vineyard Shiraz is steeped in complexity, with aromas ranging from camphor, bay leaf and sage to smoke and grilled beef and from blueberries and blackberries to plums laced with spice. Full-bodied, rich and intense, it's ripe and velvety textured, with a long, licorice-tinged finish and dusty tannins that bode well for the cellar. From vines planted in 1912, I suspect this will come close to the quality of the Hill of Grace at a fraction of the price. Tasted again the following day from the open bottle, this was even better, seamless, flowing and harmonious in the mouth. Drink 2022 - 2040.
96 points
Joe Czerwinski – Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (April 2021)

Aromatic and elegant, but definitely not shy, showing rich, pure wild blackberry puree, huckleberry and blueberry pie flavors on a silky frame, with details of Earl Grey tea, palo santo, cigar box and salted dark chocolate. Ends with a tremendous finish that goes on and on. Drink now through 2046. 
94 points
Maryann Worobiec– Wine Spectator (April 2021)

“The 2016 harvest was a little more challenging in terms of how the season progressed, though the end was brilliant”, says vigneron Stephen Henschke, “from quite good set in the vines, mild Spring, heat in Summer, it set the 2016s up for quite a plush structure, slightly different character to 2015s, more fruit driven, quite fruit driven, mature tannins, but lots of flavour and texture across the palate”. It still seems to be a balancing point here, not ‘Barossa Valley red wine’ in ‘style’, but characteristic of the vineyard and Eden Valley. “Edelstone classic character is spice, sage, black pepper spice, black and blueberry”, offers Henschke, “lots of complexity”. Good to keep in mind. This wine sees 80% French, 20% American oak and not much of that new. Two years in barrel.
Rich, ripe scents, overlay of sandalwood and cedar, new leather and slapped sage leaf, black currants and black olive too. That perfume improves over time, more evocative, more delicious, more everything, fantastic. Slippery, sleek and fine to taste, succulent with a generous side, dark, brooding berry fruits, compote sweet and rich but with a freshness of acidity that counterbalances nicely and the word ‘purity’ comes to mind. Epic wine, so much going on, incredibly detailed and quietly powerful. Wonderful release speaking so fluently of stately old vine and intensity of fruit. Drink 2021 - 2050+
96+ Points
Mike Bennie - The Wine Front (March 2021)

'2016 epitomises the single vineyard story', according to Stephen Henschke. 1952 was the first vintage of this wine from Shiraz vines planted in 1912 on an east-facing slope which the Henschkes believe results in a particularly elegant wine. Aged for 18 months in 80% French and 20% American hogsheads. 19% of the oak was new.
Remarkably bright purplish crimson, the sort of colour I'd expect from a Cabernet more than from a Shiraz. Hugely medicinal on the nose of this – positively a poultice! Such intensity and so much history in this beautifully balanced wine. You just know you're tasting vine-growing rather than winemaking here (sorry, Stephen). Everything seems so healthy and in balance. No sweetness but rather herby savour and appetising layers of fully ripe fruit. Not at all like Barossa Valley floor Shiraz – much more lifted and cooler. There's a certain tarriness here too. Definitely to be drunk with food and its considerable tannins have just crept up on my while I marvelled at the fruit. Ideally to be kept. Tasted 24 hours later, a certain (black) pepperiness was evident on the nose and there was more obvious ripeness beating the tannins into submission. Very clean, appetising finish. Drink 2022 – 2037.
18 points
Jancis Robinson (March 2021)