Description
The Henschke family have made wine at their estate in the Eden Valley since 1868, with fifth-generation winemaker Stephen Henschke taking over in 1979. Together with his viticulturist wife, Prue, they have taken their two single vineyards, ‘Hill of Grace’ and Mount ‘Edelstone’ and transformed them into two of Australia’s most sought-after wines. Through a combination of Stephen’s winemaking and great viticulture from Prue, who has re-introduced native plants in their vineyards to improve biodiversity, they have built upon their inheritance and turned this traditional producer into one celebrated worldwide. The original 1860s grain barn at the family property in Keyneton, built from field stone and mud by first-generation winemaker Johann Christian Henschke, now houses the Henschke cellar door. The winery occupies the original wool shed, built next to the grain barn in 1952.
Keyneton Euphonium is a composition of Shiraz from up to 50-year-old vines growing in the Eden and Barossa Valleys, blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc from selected vineyards in both regions, some of which were planted by Cyril Henschke at his Eden Valley property in the 1960s. The village of Keyneton, pioneered by pastoralist Joseph Keynes in 1842, was a musical and cultural focus for early settlers, and was home to the Henschke family brass band, founded in 1888. One of their instruments was a B flat euphonium, which has been lovingly restored and remains a Henschke family heirloom.
The wine is deep crimson in colour, with fragrant and spicy aromas of blackberry, blueberry, black pepper and anise on the nose. The palate is rich and complex, with layers of dark forest fruits and spiced pepper balanced by fresh acidity and carried by fine-grained tannins for a long and elegant finish.
Jancis Robinson describes it as “an Australian classic at a less than iconic price.”