Hentley Farm The Stray 2024 is a distinctive Barossa Valley blend of 60% Grenache, 38% Shiraz and 2% Zinfandel — a combination unique to Hentley Farm. With each variety separately fermented and matured, The Stray consistently delivers the kind of aromatic complexity and flavour depth that rewards both the curious and the initiated. The 2024 vintage is fragrant, savoury and immediately appealing.
Tasting Notes
Bright magenta-splashed crimson in the glass. The nose opens with satsuma plum, red and black cherries and boysenberry, threaded with hints of fine spice, citrus blossom, dried meats, fresh and pressed wildflowers, and crushed minerals and earth — a profile that also carries Turkish delight and rose petal character alongside the cherry and aniseed lift noted by the producer. The palate shows plenty of energy: bright, saline acidity, pure fruit expression and a fresh, lively exit. Fine-grained tannin frames the wine without weight, and the finish is clean, persistent and lightly savoury.
"Bright magenta-splashed crimson with aromas of satsuma plum, red/black cherries and boysenberry fruits, hints of fine spice, citrus blossom, dried meats, fresh and pressed wildflowers, crushed minerals and earth. These aromas transpose neatly over to the palate, which shows plenty of energy, bright saline acidity and some bright, pure fruit on the exit."
93 Points - Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion, 21 April 2026
Vineyard & Region
Sourced from Seppeltsfield Vineyard blocks C, D, E and A, planted in shallow red clay loam over shattered limestone — soils that lend the wine its structural definition and sense of Barossa place. Harvest ran from 27 February through 18 March 2024.
Winemaking
Fruit was fully de-stemmed. Approximately two-thirds received extended skin maceration for 60 days, building texture and complexity without excess. Natural malolactic fermentation was followed by 9 months maturation in seasoned oak, maintaining freshness while adding subtle integration.
Cellaring & Serving
Drinking beautifully now and through to 2036. Hentley Farm recommends drinking through 2034; Halliday Wine Companion rates the window 2026–2036. Serve at 16–18°C. Decant briefly to open up the aromatic profile.
Food Pairing
An outstanding partner to slow-roasted lamb shoulder, duck confit, Moroccan spiced dishes, mushroom ragù and aged semi-hard cheeses. The wine's savoury character and fine tannin make it a natural companion to rich, herb-driven cooking.
