2015 Henschke The Wheelwright Shiraz

97 Points - James Halliday, Wine Companion

“Commemorates 150 years of family winemaking, crafted from 50yo vines. It is a vibrantly fresh and aromatic wine with elegance and finesse its cornerstones as it slips through the net of full-bodied shiraz. Its fruit flavours are as much red as black, and you can sense the tan but not actually taste them. Sheer beauty.”

95 Points - Huon Hooke, The Real Review

“A superb shiraz, and a medium-bodied wine compared to the '13 Hill of Grace and '13 Mount Edelstone. It resembles a little brother for HOG, which it vaguely is. A lovely wine with grace and charm. There is a subtle mid-palate sweetness and the wine bears a strong family resemblance to the other top Henschke shirazes. Henschke Tasting Notes Medium ruby with garnet hues. Vibrant aromas of raspberry, red plum, cranberry and pomegranate are lifted by bay leaf, sage, crushed herbs and cedar. A complex and textural palate of dark chocolate, kirsch, orange rind and savoury notes of tea leaf, green peppercorn and mocha is supported by fine, chalky tannins, delivering a long, elegant finish. Background Information: The Wheelwright, first released to commemorate 150 years of Henschke family winemaking, pays tribute to our founder, winemaker Johann Christian Henschke (1803–1873). He was among the first generation of the early German Silesian community of the Barossa in South Australia and established the family winery in 1868. Johann Christian arrived in 1841 as a skilled stonemason and wheelwright and planted his first vineyards in the high country of the picturesque Eden Valley. This wine is produced from old vine shiraz planted in 1968, a century later, by fourth-generation Cyril Henschke near the village of Eden Valley at 470m altitude. As per the Barossa Old Vine Charter, an ‘old vine’ is equal to or greater than 35 years of age.”