TN: Henschke Mt Edelstone 2002- Return To Form?
Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 11:10 am
This is the 50th release of Henschke's Mount Edelstone single vineyard shiraz. The drive to Henschke is always worth the scenic trip via Truro Rd to have a look at the gnarled 70 year old vines.
It has been reported here that the Henschke's have noted higher than usual colour concentration in this vintage which they believe to contribute to vintage quality. The wine is opaque dark-purple with deep violet edges.
I decanted the wine for a few hours and initial aromas have meaty-vanilla notes coming out on top but there is a core of powerful, spicey, ripe-blackberry fruit. Completing the nose is a strong whiff of black pepper and violets, toasted oak at the end. The more the air, the more the fruit takes over with the oak becoming background and smokey.
Slick and comfortable in the mouth, the fruit is pastille blackberry, blackcurrants and the strong black pepper comes through in a dense package of multi-layered fruit flavours. The tannins are ultra-fine, ripe and build slowly toward a good level of backpalate intensity of blackfruits and blackpepper. Some generous warmth accentuate a very long finishing Mount Edelstone.
At nights end the fruit intensity increases, the tannins round and soften significantly, suggesting a contemporary, cleverly managed style peaking as suggested in 2012.
The style may continue to polarise some, old romantics perhaps, who preferred the long living style of a decade ago.
$68 at Cellar Door and bottled in stelvin.
92 points for mine but cellar door scuttle butt would suggest I may be too hard!
It has been reported here that the Henschke's have noted higher than usual colour concentration in this vintage which they believe to contribute to vintage quality. The wine is opaque dark-purple with deep violet edges.
I decanted the wine for a few hours and initial aromas have meaty-vanilla notes coming out on top but there is a core of powerful, spicey, ripe-blackberry fruit. Completing the nose is a strong whiff of black pepper and violets, toasted oak at the end. The more the air, the more the fruit takes over with the oak becoming background and smokey.
Slick and comfortable in the mouth, the fruit is pastille blackberry, blackcurrants and the strong black pepper comes through in a dense package of multi-layered fruit flavours. The tannins are ultra-fine, ripe and build slowly toward a good level of backpalate intensity of blackfruits and blackpepper. Some generous warmth accentuate a very long finishing Mount Edelstone.
At nights end the fruit intensity increases, the tannins round and soften significantly, suggesting a contemporary, cleverly managed style peaking as suggested in 2012.
The style may continue to polarise some, old romantics perhaps, who preferred the long living style of a decade ago.
$68 at Cellar Door and bottled in stelvin.
92 points for mine but cellar door scuttle butt would suggest I may be too hard!