2013 Henschke, Mount Edelstone Vineyard, Eden Valley

The 2013 Mount Edelstone Vineyard Shiraz hails from a drought year—it was tough. In fact, the 2014 Edelstone was released before the 2013. Yet now, we look at this wine, 11 years from harvest, and the wine is svelte and seamless in its flow of flavor across the palate, with pomegranate molasses, alpine mint, dried herbs, a hint of arnica, rose petals and black cherry. It is chewy, elegant and spiced. It's a lovely wine that has decades to go. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under Vinolok. As it happens, the 2024 vintage is Henschke's 156th vintage. Pretty remarkable.

Still a bit tight and cedary, the 2013 Mount Edelstone Shiraz could use a couple of more years to flesh out and round into form. Sage and blackberry notes predominate in this full-bodied, concentrated and richly tannic offering. It still comes across as slightly drying on the finish, but it's velvety, and the fruit comes through at the end, so don't hesitate to hold onto this for a decade or more.
Joe Czerwinski, Aug 2018

Full Vinolok-closed bottle just 1,232 g. 100% 101-year-old single-vineyard Shiraz grown on the Henschke Mount Edelstone vineyard managed with organic and biodynamic practices. Harvested 5–9 March. Matured in 34% new and 66% seasoned (81% French, 19% American) oak hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling. Bottle-aged in the Henschke Cellar for museum release. TA 6.1 g/l, pH 3.59. Deep blackish ruby. A certain saline/marine quality on the nose – iodine? Great balance but still seems pretty young with tannins still in evidence. It's easy to see the relation with the 2019. Still with a long life ahead of it. I'd advise considerable aeration before serving. Again, like the 2019, real intensity. Dry finish with an impression of cinders. £30 supplement for six years' ageing in perfect conditions seems quite good value. (JR)