Henschke - Hill of Grace Shiraz - 2009

Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the nose on the 2009 Hill of Grace is a little closed, though it reveals notes of warm black plums, blackberry coulis and cloves with subtle nuances of dried Provence herbs, forest floor and lavender. Medium to full-bodied, it possesses layers of medium to full-bodied black fruit and earth-laced flesh elegantly structured by a medium to firm level of finely grained tannins, nicely balanced acid and a long finish. 97+ Points Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate It’s a distinctive wine. It’s so un-Grange like in its flavour profile. It tastes like it comes from a garden. Truffles, blackcurrant, soy, smoky oak, saturated plums, fennel and crushed dry spice. It’s soft and mellifluous. There’s a clear herbal influence, in the most positive of manners. Tannin is infused thoroughly with spice; the spice doesn’t just come as lift, it’s ingrained, as it is in high grade charcuterie. Mostly French oak, and it shows, but a little American oak, and it shows. Remarkably approachable even though the tannin curls and lingers. Immensely silken tannin. Immensely interesting wine. 96 Points Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front Perhaps one of the greatest SA wines from the 2009 vintage, now five years on and in a glorious place in its own lifespan. It has an extraordinary aroma, an intense essence of crimson, semi-dried plums and you’d swear you can smell the earth, trees and blossoms of its surrounds. Subtle notes of orange peel and spice then rise from the palate, as well as deeper layers of savoury herbs, fennel, and allspice, which add to the wines richness and complexity, and flavour the finish which is smooth, soft, long and fine. 99 Points Tony Love, Adelaide Advertiser