60th Anniversary
Hill of Grace is surely one of the most evocative phrases in the world of wine. It is a translation from the German ‘Gnadenberg’, a region in Silesia, and the name given to the lovely Lutheran church that overlooks the vineyard. The 4ha single-vineyard shiraz planting is situated at the historic village of Parrot Hill 4km northwest of Henschke Cellars.
Cyril Henschke created the first Hill of Grace in 1958 from Shiraz vines at Hill of Grace vineyard, up to 100 years old. The exceptional quality of the wine combined with the charm of the name captured the imagination of consumers.
Matured in 20% new and 80% seasoned (83% French, 17% American) oak hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling.
An inky purple hue, this is still quite tight but the notes of plums, cassis, bergamot, blueberries and aniseed come forth riding a wave of flavour. There is immaculately integrated oak and the complexity in the wine is already evident with five-spice and chocolate emerging on the palate. The finish is of a length more often associated with great old fortifieds. The tannins are abundant but soft, cashmere-like and ever-so-fine. The focus and structure will see the wine sail into the future. A profound wine of finesse and ethereal class. Well cellared bottles will easily see out forty or fifty years. And blossom over that time.
Beautifully balanced with voluminous blackberry, mulberry, elderberry roasted chestnut flavours, lovely fine grained and loose knit tannins, superb volume, and integrated acidity. Finishes firm and minerally long. A superb young wine. Destined to become a classic vintage.