Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2012 Shiraz Hill of Grace is a little reticent on the nose to begin, opening out to a somewhat paradoxically tantalizing black forest cake, beef dripping, fertile loam and tree bark nose with hints of black pepper, Marmite, bay leaves, eucalyptus, licorice and baker’s chocolate. The medium to full-bodied palate is a wonderfully intricate melange of mineral, savory, dark fruits and spice layers, framed by velvety tannins and refreshing acidity, finishing epically. This is a truly great Hill of Grace that has just entered the first stage of its drinking window and should continue to develop beautifully over the next 25+ years.
Wonderfully harmonious, refined and elegant, blending a supple, silky texture with a profound level of detail. Aromas of mahogany, cedar, juniper and black truffle mingle with a core of bright cherry and cranberry flavors, gaining momentum and traction on the epic finish. Drink now through 2040. 50 cases imported.
TOP 100 AUSTRALIAN WINES OF 2017 #1 - Dried baking spices on the nose as well as dried-sage leaves and other roasting herbs and a kind of wet chalky element introduce one of the finest iterations of this single-site wine ever. The very tightly cut palate is contained and reserved with fine layers, though the sustained length is a real thing of marvel. It has all the blackberry and dark-cherry fruits on offer, not to mention a wealth of fresh-roasted coffee and dark plums. There’s real elegance, super smooth tannins, sheer power and a long, fresh, even-handed finish. Incredibly polished and seamless palate. Best give this some time to fill out; will be complete around 2025 and historic tastings would suggest it will really peak around 2035. (Suckling)
From the relatively cooler climes of Eden Valley, Henschke’s most famous wine focuses on expressing the unique terroir of its 10 acres of 150 plus year old vineyards rather than on power, oak and extraction. This translates to savory and earthy secondary characters at the fore, highlighting herbal notes with licorice, currants and cocoa powder. The palate is silky and savory, and while the toasty oak notes are apparent, they’re kept in check with wonderfully balanced acidity. Approachable now, it will morph into a thing of stunning beauty with time. Drink now-2037.
The original vines were 100 years old when Cyril Henschke made the first vintage of Hill of Grace, named for the Gnadenberg Church that watches over the vineyard. His family had sustained those vines while propagating new blocks from the “Grandfathers,” a program his nephew Stephen Henschke has sustained, in part, by marrying well-his wife, Prue, is one of Australia’s leading viticulturists and has dedicated no small part of her career to studying what sets the Hill of Grace vineyard apart and developing selections from its ancient vines. While rarity and demand have sent the price into the stratosphere of the world’s top wines, this 55th vintage stands in that company with the kind of clarity and numinous elegance few parcels of vines in the world can give. It has the weightless concentration of flavor that transforms meaty black cherry, licorice and olive notes into a lasting impression of freshness. It’s also there in the texture, which feels ample, rich and as transparent as fine silk. A great vintage of Hill of Grace, the 2012 will likely be at its best between ten and 20 years from the vintage, and will live well for decades.
Winery Notes
Dark crimson in color, with deep garnet hues. A concentrated array of aromas of mulberry, blackberry and dark plum indicate the richness to come, while savory and complex notes of charcuterie, cedar, sage and five spice tease the senses. Plush and velvety on the palate, the wine has intense fruit concentration with plum, red currant, blackberry and anise flavors, yet an enchantingly elegant and refined structure. Layers of silky tannins reveal the impressive depth of the wine before giving way to an incredibly long finish.