Henschke Tappa Pass Shiraz 2023 is a Barossa and Eden Valley Shiraz of depth, structure, and old-vine character — sourced from low-yielding, dry-grown vines, many dating back several decades, with the Tappa Pass vineyard’s elevated Eden Valley sites providing the cooler ripening conditions that preserve natural acidity and build layered complexity. Awarded 94 points by Campbell Mattinson.
Appearance
Deep, poised red with the concentration and clarity of a wine shaped by elevation, vine age, and a measured growing season.
Aroma
Complex and lifted — blackberry, dark plum, and black cherry layered with cracked pepper, dried herbs, violets, and subtle cedar spice. A clear sense of restraint, where power is expressed through detail rather than weight.
Palate
Medium to full-bodied with concentrated dark fruit flavours — plums, tar, rust, smoked meat, mint, and malt — supported by fine-grained tannins, balanced acidity, and nuances of spice and savoury earth. Subtle mineral undertones emerge with air, adding complexity and depth. Warm-hearted, yet svelte and juicy in equal measure.
Finish
Just when you think it’s going to stop, it keeps on going. Persistent and composed, with lingering dark fruit, spice, and a gentle mineral edge that speaks directly to the Tappa Pass vineyard’s elevation and site character.
Pairs With
Slow-roasted lamb, game, richly spiced dishes, aged hard cheeses, and braised beef. A wine that rewards a table of equal ambition. Decant for 30–60 minutes to allow the full complexity to unfold.
Reviews
94 Points — Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
Henschke is a Mattinson 10-Star Winery.
“Some wines just have that extra something. This wine is one of them. It’s the length of the finish that does it: just when you think that it’s going to stop, it keeps on going. It tastes of plums, tar, rust, smoked meat, mint and malt, and while it’s warm-hearted it’s also both svelte and juicy.”
— Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front — 94 Points
