The Auswine Forum

Had a bottle of this the other night at a restaurant and loved it. Am now in the process of trying to track it down for my new cellar!

Problem is I am not sure exactly what I had.

I remembered it as Henschke Keyneton Estate 2003 Shiraz Cab Merlot.

Now I see a bottle called Henschke Keyneton Estate Euphonium with Cab Franc also. I am pretty sure that was NOT it.

Other complicating factor: it was a half bottle (sorry, but Mrs Zany is pregnant) and I am not sure if they bottle different stuff in them.

Am I crazy, is there such a bottle?

Sorry for the complicated first post, I have been lurking for about a month since I decided to start a cellar, and decided I had to join to solve this issue!

Mr Zany,

The Keyneton Estate has been called the Euphonium ever since the '01 vintage, although I believe it's only the current '03 vintage that was labelled 100% the Euphonium. I think Henschke slowly incease the amount of batches with the label name when they change it.

So chances are it was the Euphonium, unless it was a 2000 or older. They change the blend periodically too. At times with merlot, at times with malbec, at times with a combination of the two and/or cabernet franc.

It's an interesting wine. I had an '82 I think with friends and family back in June - sheer curio value - and it outshone '94 Edelstone and other newer vintage Henschkes on the night.

Cheers,

We had the 91 Keyneton a couple of months ago and its was amazingly fresh. Still had years on it

I agree, this is a ripper wine that generally offers brilliant QPR and with the bonus that it is sometimes spotted reasonably discounted. The 2002 is drinking very well and will keep. I had a 96 a few months back and it was fantastic, all character and quality at once and still with lots of time ahead. Pleased to hear the 03 sounds good, as I was considering picking up one or two to try.

Wayno wrote:I agree, this is a ripper wine that generally offers brilliant QPR and with the bonus that it is sometimes spotted reasonably discounted. The 2002 is drinking very well and will keep. I had a 96 a few months back and it was fantastic, all character and quality at once and still with lots of time ahead. Pleased to hear the 03 sounds good, as I was considering picking up one or two to try.

Funny, we've been discussing this wine on a UK board and the general feeling was it represented poor QPR. I'm not sure of the Austrlalian price, but for us it's just short of £20, which equates to around $50. If you can get it for $40, then I reckon it's decent value, but at $50 or more, with some variable vintages in recent years, I'm sure there's better value around.

Thanks for the advice everybody.

BTW when I say I enjoyed it, please know that I'm no expert. It was great for me, so I will buy a few bottles.

Maximus wrote:I believe it's only the current '03 vintage that was labelled 100% the Euphonium. I think Henschke slowly incease the amount of batches with the label name when they change it.

Maximus: Does this mean that for the 2002 wines there were some bradned Euphonium and and some not? Even though they were the same wine?

I assume it might be possible that the 375ml bottle did not adopt this label yet, as I am sure I would have noticed the Euphonium name, had it been on the label.

The menu (available on web) stated:
Henschke Keyneton Estate ’03 Eden Valley (Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot) in the half bottle section.

BOTTOM LINE: I can be pretty sure that this was the wine now known as the Euphonium.

Phew, who knoew it would be this hard to find a wine I enjoyed!!!

DJZany wrote:Maximus: Does this mean that for the 2002 wines there were some bradned Euphonium and and some not? Even though they were the same wine?

Yes, I believe that's the case. Email Stephen Henschke if you want a definitive answer.

In any case, the '03 Keyneton Estate and '03 Keyneton Estate Euphonium are exactly the same wine.

Cheers,

Ian S wrote:

Wayno wrote:I agree, this is a ripper wine that generally offers brilliant QPR and with the bonus that it is sometimes spotted reasonably discounted. The 2002 is drinking very well and will keep. I had a 96 a few months back and it was fantastic, all character and quality at once and still with lots of time ahead. Pleased to hear the 03 sounds good, as I was considering picking up one or two to try.

Funny, we've been discussing this wine on a UK board and the general feeling was it represented poor QPR. I'm not sure of the Austrlalian price, but for us it's just short of £20, which equates to around $50. If you can get it for $40, then I reckon it's decent value, but at $50 or more, with some variable vintages in recent years, I'm sure there's better value around.

Well I have seen this around for as low as $27 - usually mid $30s. That's pretty good QPR in my mind.

Wayno wrote:

Ian S wrote:

Wayno wrote:I agree, this is a ripper wine that generally offers brilliant QPR and with the bonus that it is sometimes spotted reasonably discounted. The 2002 is drinking very well and will keep. I had a 96 a few months back and it was fantastic, all character and quality at once and still with lots of time ahead. Pleased to hear the 03 sounds good, as I was considering picking up one or two to try.

Funny, we've been discussing this wine on a UK board and the general feeling was it represented poor QPR. I'm not sure of the Austrlalian price, but for us it's just short of £20, which equates to around $50. If you can get it for $40, then I reckon it's decent value, but at $50 or more, with some variable vintages in recent years, I'm sure there's better value around.

Well I have seen this around for as low as $27 - usually mid $30s. That's pretty good QPR in my mind.

and I'd agree. For me it's an even deal at around $35 so less represents good QPR. Funny, some labels are better value in UK, others on home turf. No surprise that as an independant, this falls into the latter.

regards

Ian

i used to buy it every year, but in NZ it is way too expensive. One of the few $30+ aussie wines that is cheaper to buy in Aussie! $50+ NZ is just stupid

The 94 was a good drop, ditto the 96. even the 95 I remember being impressed with.

Still have vintages 95 through to 98. After that I couldnt justify the price.

In fact I personally havent bought any Henschke wine for about 4 or 5 years. They once were a cellar staple. I think some cheap clearance 96 Cyril was my last???

I have been following Keyneton for a long time. I suspect diminishing returns- with the top shiraz components of the Eden Valley fruit going into Tappa Pass and Euphonium a move to change the name from Keyneton to access more Barossa Valley fruit.

To cellar or not to cellar Keyneton? Originally, a few years after release, the wine was superb with it's blends and sophisticated oak usage ( typical Henschke seasoning etc ).

But the 94 is truly an amazing wine. It has been drinking superb since 02. The 95 is very good too, better in youth than at it's now maturation ( don't decant for best results ). 96 I tried a few weeks ago but was too full to appreciate.