Brandon Boesch

9.5

Pretty great. I feel like it could use more time in bottle. A couple hours of air and it was cherries, dust, strawberries, white pepper, a hint of jalapeño, maybe red apple with baking spice. So lovely. — 14 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

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. — 3 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.9

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. — 6 months ago

Matthew Cohen

9.4

Nose: that brown note like the hofer. Lifting florals.

Palate: hint heat goes away. Medium cherry. Spice. Balancing bitterness.

14.2%

55% stem — 21 days ago

Matthew Cohen

9.3

Nose: rose. Perfumed. Elegant. Intense in a pretty way.

Palate : mineral. Bright cherry. — 21 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

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. — 5 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.7

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. — 6 months ago

Matthew Cohen

9.2

1910 planting.

60% stem inclusion.

N: lilacs

P: silky. Elegant cherries. Silky. Good grip. Well made

13.2% — 21 days ago

Matthew Cohen

9.4

Nose: elegantly herbal.

Palate : delicious. Sweet cherry. Some spice. Salivatory.

Long finish.

47% stem. — 21 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.6

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.” 100% Cabernet and a grand total of 152 cases made. Educates. Elucidates. Confirms. — 4 months ago