As every savvy wine drinker knows, Stephen and Prue Henschke's two legendary Eden Valley vineyards - Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone - produce some of Australia's most prized wines.
This trademark Shiraz originates from low-yielding 100-year-old vines in the 16ha Mount Edelstone vineyard, where no detail is overlooked. The vines are farmed organically and biodynamically, and trained carefully to reduce vigour and promote earlier ripening.
Harvesting took place by hand in the cool morning, with individual blocks picked and vinified separately. Fermentation began in open-top concrete containers and ended in 78% French and 22% American oak hogsheads. 18 months' oak ageing was followed by two years in the cellar under cork.
The best Mount Edelstone Shiraz has distinctive aromas of sage, black pepper, spiced plums, black cherry and cedar. All are in abundance here. In the mouth, things are rich and elegantly textured - all wild forest berries, velvety tannins and more of those black pepper and sage notes. The never-ending finish is extraordinary.