Henschke Henry's Seven 2022 (Barossa & Eden Valley)

Eden Valley Vintage Report;
The winter of 2021 brought good rainfall to refill soil profiles and the cool, slow start to the growing season resulted in budburst occurring two weeks later than average. An extreme hail event on 28 October decimated the young growth across our vineyards in Keyneton and significant crop potential was lost. Late flowering (late November/early December) avoided the cold and windy conditions, resulting in good fruit set, albeit smaller yields. A burst of summer heat without extremes supported berry development and balanced canopy growth. Welcome rain in late January kicked off veraison and ripening, providing a mild and dry finish to summer. 2022 was a late vintage with harvest dates 1-2 weeks later than the historical average. The resulting wines have great elegance with excellent aromatic and flavour intensity, bright acidity and wonderful ageing potential.

Barossa Valley Vintage Report;
Above average 2021 winter rainfall helped to refill soil profiles and the cool, slow start to the growing season resulted in budburst occurring slightly later than average. A frost event occurred on 11 October impacted the northern Barossa Valley and was followed by an extreme hail event on 28 October, which crossed the Barossa Valley. A wetter end to spring supported the regrowth of the hail damaged canopies, but significant crop potential was lost. Cold and wet weather mid-November coincided with flowering in much of the Barossa Valley region, which impacted fruit-set and potential yields. December and January provided a burst of summer heat without any extremes, however by the beginning of vintage another severe weather event dealt a deluge of rain and even more hail to some parts of the region. The mild and dry conditions that followed were ideal for the later-ripening varieties. The cumulative impacts of the season’s weather events resulted in lower yields across the region. The 2022 wines show great aromatics, balance of acidity and a bright core of flavour, with grenache the standout variety of the season.