Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz 2017 ( Gift Boxed )

98 Points Decanter
98 Points Wine Pilot
97 Points Andrew Caillard MW
19+/20 Matthew Jukes

The beautiful and historic name Mount Edelstone is a translation from the German Edelstein meaning ‘gemstone’, a reference to small yellow opals once found in the area. The Mount Edelstone Vineyard was planted in 1912 by Ronald Angas, a descendant of George Fife Angas who founded The South Australian Company and played a significant part in the formation and establishment of South Australia. Unusual for its time, the vineyard was planted solely to shiraz. The ancient 500-million-year-old geology in the vineyard has given rise to soils that are deep red-brown clay-loam to clay, resulting in low yields from the dry-grown, ungrafted centenarian vines. First bottled as a single-vineyard wine in 1952 by fourth-generation Cyril Henschke, by the time Cyril purchased the vineyard from Colin Angas in 1974, Mount Edelstone was already well entrenched as one of Australia’s greatest shiraz wines. Crafted by the Henschke family for over 60 years now, Mount Edelstone is arguably the longest consecutively-produced, single-vineyard wine in Australia.

Matured in 26% new and 74% seasoned (86% French, 14% American) oak hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling.

“Medium deep crimson. Fresh blackcurrant pastille, chinotto, sage, herb garden aromas with vanilla cacao notes. Richly concentrated blackcurrant, blackberry fruits, lovely fine chalky al dente tannins, beautifully integrated mocha notes and fresh linear crisp acidity. Finishes claret-firm with pure cassis fruits. Lovely density and torque.” – 97 Points Andrew Caillard MW

“There is no doubt that the flavours and perfumes in the glass directly reflect this precise site; this is all you can ask of a great wine. The purity of the blackberry theme is sensational and while the French oak does what French oak always tries to do – add gravitas and detail – it is the 14% American oak from the Appalachian Mountains that adds style, richness, and a touch of glamour to proceedings. After all of the action, the finish is respectfully prim, and tart and I love it when wines finish correctly on the palate with a ‘proper full stop’…This is a thrillingly controlled wine with invigorating flavours, and it will make three decades in a good cellar.” – 19+/20 Matthew Jukes

“Kaleidoscopic, this glorious vintage is terroir translucent, transporting you to the vineyard with its signature aromas of dried sage, Eucalyptus olida (aka Strawberry Gum), wild mint, wattleseed, nutmeg and tinder. Soaring and super-expressive, these scents bring compelling dimension and meld exquisitely on the sweet, juicy plum and bramble palate, with its cocoa nib and earthy hints. Graceful, willowy tannins and mineral acidity make for a long, fluid, markedly perfumed finish. Irresistible already!” – 98 Points Sarah Ahmed, Decanter

“…expect a tight, taut, powerful style with serious concentration. Flavours move through red berries/cherries, coffee beans, chocolate, animal hide, dry herbs and mulberries. Beautifully balanced, there is good acidity. A cracking Mount Edelstone, one which exceeds expectations imposed by the perception of the vintage. It has a long future ahead of it.” – 98 Points Ken Gargett, Winepilot