Henschke, Henry's Seven, Barossa Valley

Holidays 2024 : Australian shiraz is still a nice go-to for me especially during the holidays when we tend to serve more robust foods and plenty of cookies and sweets. Apropos of that, this wine showed notes of milk chocolate and allspice, although in general it was a tad more austere than expected. I preferred the Young Punks shiraz (below) which is half the cost.

Dark crimson and absolutely as expected in colour for a 2021. Plums cassis and vanilla spice on the nose. Medium bodied and remains v primary. Revisit in 2025.

Fresh and youthful GSM blend with a splash of Viognier. Blend consists of 77% Shiraz, 11% Grenache, 10% Mataro and 2% Viognier, aged in FR oak, 5% new. Deep ruby colour. Medium+ intensity aroma of baked plums, ripe blackberries, blueberries, chocolate, cherry jam, leather, meaty and clove hints. Full body, ripe with medium+ intensity of opulent ripe and baked black fruits, medium- tannins, fresh medium+ acidity, spice and meaty notes, medium finish.

Light colour for a mid body wine. Heated pallet of cherries. Perfect balance between a heavy red like a Shiraz and a light red like a Boujoulais. Perfect with steak on a winters night.

Spicy nose. Lightish body. Earthy and dry. Henschke style? A bit hot. Flavours build on the back palate. Interesting.