From ungrafted dry grown vines planted in 1920. 12% A/V. Brick red and slightly cloudy. Showing its age but very good condition. On opening, the bouquet reeked of dirty earth, feral animals and hints of Brett, which were almost unbearable. Also very dirty and feral. After 20 minutes, cleaned up. Now nice aromatic black fruits, spice, leather and seriously raw meat. Still some sweetness of fruit evident. Palate is very elegant. Better than it should be or what its reputation suggests (Henschke say past its best). More cabernet-like than shiraz but had good length and nice structure. No tannin, acid or oak pokiness. Has aged gracefully and is clearly ameliorating into its final sleep.
86/100
1991 Henschke Mount Edelstone Old Vine Shiraz (Barossa Ranges)
14% A/V. Jeremy Oliver’s highest pointed Mount Edelstone at 95 points with the 1990 and 1993 (
) Heaps of sediment (lost 20% of the bottle on decanting!). Mid red with some brown edging. Superb clarity. Bouquet is quite beautiful with its rich, ripe sweet fruit, lovely oak, smoke, complex salami and gamey nuances. Very focussed and still youthful. Wine has excellent length and beautiful balance. A quite stunning wine entering its secondary phase. Raw yet fine. Still youthful and will live for many years. I love it now anyway. Everything a shiraz should be. Caveat: Minor aberration is a slightly alcoholic finish. Will get a run for its money from the 1994 (admittedly variable) and 2001 (plus 2002?) once they both hit their straps in a decade or more. Super wine and superior to the 91 Hill of Grace had last month. :thumbsup:
93/100
1995 Henschke Mount Edelstone Old Vine Shiraz (Barossa Ranges)
Mid red. Lighter than the 1991. Bouquet is very savoury and gamey and strangely strongly reminiscent of an fountain pen ink jar and aged cheddar. Not as ripe as the 1991. Very oaky for first two hours with hard tannins and introverted fruit. This wine needs plenty of air. Fruit not as well defined as the 1991 and oak is heavy handed (or fruit under-ripe). Clearly a weaker vintage. I don’t think there is any point holding onto this. After three hours better balance and softer but tannins remain quite resiny and unrefined. Drink it now while its humming (rather than singing), and just edges out the 84.
88/100
2001 Henschke Mount Edelstone Old Vine Shiraz (Barossa Ranges)
Deep red/purple. My third bottle of this over past two years (seems to be hanging around a lot). Impressive bouquet and palate. Lovely fine tannins and quality black cored fruits. Really well structured and powerful. Needs a decade. Note to self: this is worth a look (again, after many years of under-performance). The 2002 is supposed to be even better. Welcome back Mount Edelstone. Almost like the 1991 but younger.
91+/100
