Henschke Hill of Grace Museum & Rare Release Shiraz 2008

Full Vinolok-closed bottle just 1,232 g. 100% Shiraz from pre-phylloxera material brought from Europe in the mid 1800s and grown on the Henschke Hill of Grace vineyard managed with organic and biodynamic practices. Harvested 9-13 March. Matured in new (84% French, 16% American) oak hogsheads for 21 months prior to blending and bottling. Bottle-aged in the Henschke cellar for museum release. TA 6.1 g/l, pH 3.56. Deep shaded dark ruby. Wonderfully intense and complex nose. This wine just wraps itself around you! (And I haven’t even tasted it yet.) Intense cocktail of prunes and something floral. Really rich. Luscious palate of gorgeously ripe fruit, just the right level of refreshing acidity with mineral top notes. Extremely rewarding with many layers. Very long indeed. When to drink: [Now]-2040. Score – 20 (out of 20). (jancisrobinson.com, March 27, 2024)