Henschke The Wheelwright Shiraz 2017

Of the four prestige Shiraz releases from Henschke this year, from the 2017 vintage, this seemed for me to be the most pure in its fruit. Colour is deep maroon and the nose is just gorgeously perfumed, quite exquisite. Florals, violets, spices, milk chocolate and dark fruits. An alluring creamy texture. This is simply seamless with silky tannins and very fine balance. Delightfully fresh, almost slippery. It also has great length and seems to increase in intensity as we go. Just immaculate balance (yes, repeating myself but it is a point worth stressing). The purity of fruit is the highlight of this wine, though, with a long future ahead. Drink: 2025-2035. Score – 97. (Ken Gargett, winepilot.com, March 2022)