Henschke Henry's Seven, 2018, Barossa Valley, Australia

Our View:

The Henschke family have been making wine at their estate in the Eden Valley since 1868. Fifth-generation winemaker Stephen Henschke took over running the winery in 1979. Together with his viticulturist wife Prue, they have taken their two single vineyards, Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone, and transformed them into two of Australia’s most sought-after wines.

Through a combination of great viticulture from Prue, who is at the forefront of re-introducing native plants into their vineyards to improve biodiversity, and winemaking from Stephen, they have built upon their inheritance and turned this traditional producer into one that is recognised by savvy wine drinkers throughout the world.

The Henry's Seven Shiraz/Grenache/Mataro/Viognier 2018 blend is an excellent and great value example of the so-called GSM style - made all the better for coming from an exceptional vintage, the standout vintage of the last decade according to the producers. Great structure, flavour and layers of complexity.

Enjoy now or cellar for up to 15 years.

The Wine:

This shiraz, grenache, mature, viognier blend is a tribute to Henry Evans who planted the first vineyard of seven acres at Keyneton in 1853. He quickly developed a reputation for producing the best wines in the southern colony. Following Henry's death in 1868, his widow Sarah exercised her temperance convictions by closing the winery and uprooting all the wine grapes. This blend highlights the historical introduction of southern French and Spanish varieties to South Australia in those early pioneering days and reflects the history, religion and culture of the Barossa. 

Tasting Note:

Crimson with violet hues. Lifted aromatics of red berries, black cherry and plum are supported by violets, anise, sage and cracked pepper. The vibrant palate exudes rich plum and red currant flavours, with hints of pepper and anise. Decadent layers of flavour and texture are supported by svelte tannins and excellent length. 

The Facts:

What the critics say:

"The shiraz and viognier were co-fermented, the other varieties fermented separately, matured in French hogsheads (10% new). Shiraz/viognier dominates the blend, but does so without bluster - indeed this is a wine with javelin of linearity that is from fruit and acid, not tannins or oak. This could be a sleeper, stealing the show in 10+ years". James Halliday, 2021 Halliday Wine Companion, 1 August 2020 - 94 points