Henschke, Hill of Grace
2
£1,610.00
Henschke is undoubtedly one of the most legendary names in the wine world. This is a winery that is marked both by rich tradition as well as forward-thinking innovation. Founded over 150 years ago by Johann Christian Henschke, this Eden Valley family have been making wines for five generations. Today, Stephen Henschke and his wife Prue masterfully guide the estate to continued heights. Stephen is the biochemist and winemaker and Prue, is the viticulturist. Using biodynamic and organic methods, they create a range of stunning cuvees from amongst the best vineyards and oldest vines in Australia.
Renowned for both their breath-taking expressions of single vineyards and their faultless consistency – there is barely a bottle of Henschke ever made that one would not consider being at the very highest level. Henschke wines have great purity and elegance with a delicious concentration of fruit. The highly sought-after Hill of Grace is the product of Shiraz vines planted in the 1860s. It is undoubtedly one of Australia’s and one of the world’s “cult wines.”
A significant vintage for Hill of Grace, as the last 2015 red to leave the Henschke cellar, and a wine that delivers on every ounce of its promise and then some. The nose is so complex and fragrant with trademark brown spices taking center stage, amid light espresso, sage leaves, blackberries, cinnamon, anise, orange peel, ripe dark plums, pepper, gun smoke and a gentle, dried-rose edge. The palate has such impressive layers of fine tannin that make an instantly seamless, powerful and focused impression. It has architectural style with clean lines that build and ascend out of the finish. Long, spiced blackberries and dark plums are extruded in formation with such finesse and power. The acidity holds a torch to the rich, ripe plums and blackberries, illuminating freshness at the finish. A wine that will develop in a very consistent manner and likely to be at its best some 20 years from now. A collector’s dream. Vinolok closure.
Henschke says the ’15 vintage provided stunning and elegant Eden Valley Shiraz with extraordinary flavours, purity of fruit and acid balance. And indeed that’s a fair description of this medium-bodied Hill of Grace. The colour is still bright, clear crimson-purple and the beautifully balanced fruit flavours are vibrantly fresh. It would be easy to underestimate the likely longevity of this wine. One of the all-time greats.
I briefly thought about cutting and pasting the review of the 2014 into this space for the 2015 Hill of Grace Shiraz, but on further reflection, there are some differences between them – and isn’t that one of the reasons we love wine? Scents of smoked meat and mocha accent notes of black olives and blackberries, joined by subtle notions of resinous herbs, while the full-bodied palate come across as slightly weightier, richer and more velvety in texture than the 2014. Not as elegant perhaps, but more concentrated and powerful on the long, long finish. (JC)
As part of the London City Bond (LCB) network, we can arrange transfer to any other LCB site for £15 + VAT (up to 10 cases of 12x75cl).
Transfer to any other storage facility is charged at UK delivery rates as per the below-
£25 + VAT – up to 3 cases 12x75cl / equivalent
£2.50 + VAT for every additional case 12x75cl / equivalent
UK duty paid delivery
Our current delivery charges for customers in the UK are shown below. Please remember that if you are taking delivery of wine bought and held in bond then duty and V.A.T. charges will be applied.
In some cases, we will be able to arrange delivery for the next day provided we are advised before 11.00am, however please give us as much notice as possible and note that during very busy periods, such as in the run-up to Christmas, special deadlines will apply.
For further details or to enquire about a specific delivery please email us enquiries@nelsonrarewine.com.
We offer daily, duty paid delivery service to the majority of UK postcodes at the below rates:
£25 + VAT – up to 3 cases 12x75cl / equivalent
£2.50 + VAT for every additional case 12x75cl / equivalent
Please note that these rates exclude Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Isles of Scilly, The Isle of Wight, Central Scotland, Highlands & Scottish Islands.
Please contact us directly for a quote to these areas of the UK enquiries@nelsonrarewine.com.
International Delivery
For customers wishing to ship wines outside the UK we will arrange export paperwork and prepare wines to be collected by your freight forwarder of choice at an agreed date and time from LCB Burton Gateway. You will be responsible for the wines from the point at which they are collected by your forwarder.
If you would like us to arrange the export and onward delivery of your wines, please let us know and we will be happy to provide a quotation. We use a select number of trusted freight forwarders who specialise in moving fine and rare wines and can ship worldwide in temperature-controlled conditions if necessary and at competitive rates.
For deliveries outside the UK please telephone us on +44 1872 520 571 or email us enquiries@nelsonrarewine.com
We offer in bond storage (remaining duty and tax free) of any fine wines purchased from us at our custom controlled warehouse at £18 per 9 litre case (12 bottles, 6 magnums, etc.) or £15 per 4.5 litre or less a case (6 bottles, 3 magnums to 1 bottle) per year, plus V.A.T. This includes insurance and will apply to wines that remain uncollected or undelivered 30 days after the date of the sale.
Our full Terms and Conditions of Storage are available here.