My favorite new world producer of Malbec. Charles Hendricks Winemaker. I’ve had nearly every vintage 2018 back to 2007…first 2006 & it’s gorgeous.
Ruby, ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries with a touch of strawberries & blueberries. Dark chocolate cake w/ fudge frosting, caramel, mocha, cocoa bar, malt balls, barrel pulp/powder, soft, dark spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanillin, mid berry licorice/cola, tarriness, anise, dry tobacco, dry brush/twig, limestone powder, dry top soil, candied to withering; dark, red flowers framed in liquid violets & lavender, waterfall acidity with a lush, well; rounded, knitted, evolved, softened tensioned, balanced with excellent polished & finish that lasts minutes. — 3 months ago
This is a gorgeous 15 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley.
Full bodied with medium acidity.
Dry and very fruity on the palate with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.
Showing black fruits with cedar, vanilla, leather, spices, earth, chocolates, tobacco, coffee and peppercorn.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.
Showing great complexity on the nose and palate.
Peaking now and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 years.
Good right out of the bottle and good by itself. Will pair nicely with a big piece of steak.
13.9% alcohol by volume.
94 points.
$200. — 7 months ago
Initial impressions - Earthy, Herbal, Soy. Cherry complex and long. Much intestinal fortitude ie. guts. Thankfully not overly menthol/eucalyptus (just a trace) as you often get with all Wendouree Cuvées. Amazing the intensity provided by those old vines going back to the 1890’s. Could easily last another 5 to 10 years but pretty much at its peak right now. This is as good as Australian Shiraz gets - up there with Grange and Hill of Grace and recognised as such by Langtons. With time in the decanter, like all great wines, they develop and change. I was getting raspberry and mineral after a few hours. An exceptional wine and in the top 5 or so wines I have had this year. In good vintages I don’t think Wendouree Shiraz should be approached at under 20 years of age. — 2 years ago
Henschke is better known for its stellar old vine Shiraz like Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone and others. I didn’t realise that they made a Pinot Noir until I went to the Henschke master class weekend with Steven and Pru Henschke. This comes from the Lenswood vineyard in the Adelaide Hills. This wine has a lovely red fruited nose with a toffee note. The palate shows a dirty strawberry on the light to medium weight palate but exhibits mid palate intensity carrying its 18 years of age with ease. I should find out if Henschke have persisted with the style because it is excellent but I don’t see it offered anywhere. — a month ago
This is Stephen Henschke’s favourite vintage of H of G he said. This was the first vintage he bottled under screw cap and all subsequent vintages have been bottled that way. They have also experimented with the Vinolok glass stopper. As Stephen said “I love tradition and it is very important as a 6th generation family owned winery. However when tradition lets you down as it has with cork, there is time to evaluate better closures. “ He went on to say the 2002 has that distinctive Hill of Grace nose which you can’t define but it does have the trademark mint, spice and sage. The palate is profoundly intense and could go on for another 10 years but flirting with perfection right now. — 4 months ago
Love this. Translucent ruby color. Red berry, cinnamon, rose petal. Medium light body. Pure. As a Southern Rhône lover I’ve got to say—wow California, wiw A Tribute to Grace! — a year ago
2018 vintage. Decanted and tasted after one hour. Baking spices and sandalwood in the nose. Medium heavy body. A noble, earthy richness that I haven’t tasted in ages with well-framed tannins to complete the proceedings. Would look to give this a solid decade before tapping again but this is just phenomenal currently after the very recent release. Highly recommended for any old-school, Napa cab “tastorian.” Educates. Elucidates. Confirms. — 2 months ago
This is the current release of Hill of Grace, the 2019, priced at $975AUD and incredibly Sold Out according to the website. Matched with the 2008 as both were from hot years. Initially a sooty, minerally earthy note on the nose. Then came Satuma Plum, blackberry, spice and pepper. Stephen said only 25% to 30% of the normal volume for sale. (Hence the Sold Out). He let us in on a secret that there will be no 2020 released. I asked if the fruit is used in another Cuvée. The answer is No - the grapes are removed and thrown out. Seems a waste. He went on to explain that H of G has a different spice character to Edelstone - more of an Asian spice. Mostly used oak is used to lessen the oak influence. Elegant yet intense and without a doubt one of the world’s great wines. Will live for decades. — 4 months ago
Beautiful Grenache, light body, semi-sweet fruity flavors, smooth and very easy to drink. Just fine on its own or paired with roasted meats. — a year ago
Sarah Oettel
Added at Bell’s. — a month ago