David White

9.5

I’d forgotten about this which I bought many moons ago as part of a vertical of Albert’s.
The 2005 was one of their earliest vintages and having “found” it thought it was probably outside its drinking window. Lots of sediment and crust had lined inside bottle much like a Henschke Mount Edelstone, decanted and it opened up after a couple of hours and it was beautifully smooth and integrated package of flavours.
I have a 2005 Edelstone which I’ll open soon but the Albert evolved over the evening and is an excellent testament to Kym Teusner’s work. — 9 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

One doesn’t think of Henschke and outstanding Pinot Noir - at least I didn’t, until I tasted this 2006 from their Lenswood vineyard in the Adelaide Hills. Red cherry and quite luscious on the mid palate. This wine was doing it easily at 18 years of age. Not sure why they don’t concentrate on this more? Perhaps most of their good Pinot material goes into their sparkling wines. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Still catching up on all of the Henschke range we tasted last weekend at Spicers Peak. Brief notes. I recall this being a true to type Pinot Gris with pear and apple notes. Very pale in colour and from the Adelaide Hills. Enjoyable. Another new Henschke Cuvée for me. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Catching up on wines we have had since returning from the Henschke weekend. Brief notes. A seashell note in amongst the stone fruit (peach and nectarine) honeysuckle and warm stone. A layered highly textural wine. Very good and what you would expect from Bass Phillip. The first of 3. Next in a year or two. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

The final few wines from the Henschke weekend at Spicers Peak Lodge. The Wheelwright Vineyard was planted in 1968 in the Eden Valley by Cyril Henschke. Has the same Sage and Pepper characters similar to Mount Edelstone and Hill of Grace. Crushed herb characters and red fruit. Full bodied and promising a long cellar life. HH says to 2036. The wines name pays tribute to the founder, Johann Christian Henschke who established the family winery in 1868. He arrived as a skilled stonemason and wheelwright. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Still catching up on the Henschke tasting last weekend. This was another Cuvée new to me. Brief notes. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Light Pass in the Barossa. Matured in 8% new and 92% seasoned French oak. Not overly “Cabernet “. Barossa is best suited to Shiraz IMO. Black cherry and fresh herbs. Not a standout when one is surrounded by other outstanding Henschke reds. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Sometimes good to have these “noble”stickies a little on the youthful side. Vibrant and fresh with intense flavours of marmalade, peach, apricot and honeycomb. Delicious with the milk parfait, wild raspberries and rhubarb. That finishes off a sensational weekend tasting. Keeps my record intact of never having a bad Henschke wine. Most of these were world class. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

The quality of these many and varied Henschke cuvées never ceases to amaze. Just brief notes - not as much spice as Mount Edelstone and Hill of Grace. This is from the Barossa and provides a point of difference to their big guns in the Eden Valley. A more full bodied palate showing black and blue fruits and liquorice - not so much the sage and black pepper that shows on their Eden Valley reds. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Another of Henschke’s many red cuvées. 58% Merlot and 42% Cabernet Sauvignon grown in their Lenswood vineyard in the Adelaide Hills. Aromas of mulberry, cedar and brambles The fluidity of the Merlot on the tannins at the finish was impressive. Excellent wine - I had to buy some. Stephen and Pru bought their Lenswood vineyard in 1981. A source of excellent Merlot and also Pinot Noir. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Continuing on with the extensive array of Henschke wines we tasted last weekend. This is their premium Cabernet based blend which is grown on the Cyril Henschke vineyard in the Eden Valley. Matured in 32% new and 68% seasoned French oak hogsheads for 18 months prior to bottling. Brief notes; Named after Stephen’s father Cyril. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. First produced in 1978. A lovely perfume of cassis, red currant, bay leaf and dark chocolate. I used to buy this Cuvée regularly 15 plus years ago. — 2 years ago