Hill of Grace is surely one of the most evocative phrases in the world of wine. It is a translation from the German ‘Gnadenberg’, a region in Silesia, and the name given to the lovely Lutheran church that overlooks the vineyard. The 4ha single-vineyard shiraz planting is situated at the historic village of Parrot Hill 4km north-west of Henschke Cellars.
Drinking Window: 1996-2040
Vineyard Notes
In our viticulture today we are blessed to be able to apply the practical wisdom and knowledge passed down from past generations alongside the benefits of our international learnings and research. In a dry-grown vineyard on its own roots, Prue has observed the benefits of mulching, composting and the use of permanent swards including native grasses, to build up the health of soils and preserve soil moisture.
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Vintage Notes
The 1991 vintage in Eden Valley was preceded by a short winter with below average rainfall. Budburst and flowering were early throughout mild spring conditions and a warm to hot summer. It was the earliest vintage on record with the hot weather producing high sugar levels and below average yields, yet great concentration of fruit flavours.
Ageing
Matured in 85% French and 15% American (29% new, 71% seasoned) hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling.
Producer Tasting Notes
Dark crimson with brick red hues. Intensely scented nose of black fruits, ripe plums, licorice, anise and five spice. The palate is rich, complex and pure, with seductive flavours of ripe plum skin, menthol and spice; wonderful balance of crisp acid and firm, fine-grained tannins extending through to a complete and beautifully mellow finish.
Critic tasting note: "This wine had the most pronounced nose of the evening. But was it too much of a good thing? That depends on your point of view. The nose was the equivalent of breaking a bottle of perfume in the sink. The aromas kept jumping from the glass into my nose with pepper, prunes, Armangnac, creamy black fruit & a touch of vanilla ice cream. To say the wine was very full bodied and dense is an understatement! The flavors were very deep and the alcohol was not over the top at 13.5%. The mouth relished the deep black fruit interspersed with jammy black & red fruit. This tannic finish lasted close to 50 seconds. Not what I'd call elegant, but I get the quality. 90 Points" - 90/100, Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
