Henschke Hill Of Grace 2021 presents a profound deep crimson appearance with distinctive ruby highlights. This Eden Valley masterpiece offers sophisticated aromatic complexity featuring black plum, Dutch cocoa, and luscious berry notes of blackberry, blueberry and cassis. The bouquet is elevated by intricate spice elements of star anise, nutmeg, complemented by crushed flowering herbs, sage oil and black peppercorn. The palate delivers exceptional refinement with spiced dark berry characteristics, violet nuances and subtle cedar undertones. Impeccably balanced acidity supports the wine's feathered, velvety tannin structure, culminating in an extraordinarily persistent, effortless finish.
Reviews
"A fairytale vintage and a wine of immense approachability. The weather saw great winter rainfall, especially after 2020, a big switch around for the seasons. Summer was one of the coolest since 2002, but good for even and long ripening. “Aren’t we lucky to have these old, ancient vines, on their own roots, in their place, telling their story of there, indeed aren’t we the older, old world in some respects”, says Stephen Henschke.
It’s hard to keep the superlatives packed in the box, the urge to go wild and effusive is all here. Huge in perfume, lots of dried herb and spice, woody notes, dark berry fruits, violets, sage, blueberry, milk chocolate-coated-berries; detail of fruit is amazing. Texture is the main deal, impossibly velvety, concentrated but a sense of freshness. Tannins are molten, mellifluous, supple and persistent. It does do wow factor – no one will miss the pedigree and detail. Epic stuff."
97+ Points Mike Bennie, The Wine Front, March 2025
"This is a super Hill of Grace release but it’s also an interesting one. Indeed it may even be polarising, which is not something often said of Hill of Grace. It’s ripped with dark berried fruit, it’s alive with roasted spice, campfire, undergrowth and earth, it shows enough toasty oak to give it something extra and it lays fine-grained tannin down in the most authoritative of ways. It also exceptionally long – and structural – through the finish, which is the main reason it qualifies as an outstanding release of Hill of Grace Shiraz. The extra interest comes in the wine’s truffle-like top notes. These notes give the aromas an exotic edge. There’s a nuttiness to this wine too; smoked nuts. It’s all going on. The fruit is voluptuous, the quality is clear. It’s Eden Valley Shiraz written in purple prose. Flourishes, there are plenty."
96 Points - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, March 2025
