Hill of Grace 2006

Grape Variety

100% shiraz grapes from pre-phylloxera material brought from Europe by the early German settlers in the mid 1800s and grown in the Eden Valley wine region.

Technical Details

Harvest Date: 22 March - 13 April
Alcohol: 14.5% | pH: 3.5 | Acidity: 6.3 g/L |

Maturation

Matured in new French (65%) and American (35%) hogsheads for 21 months prior to blending and bottling.

Background

Over 165 years ago Johann Christian Henschke came from Silesia to settle and farm in the Eden Valley region. By the time third-generation Paul Alfred Henschke took over the reins in 1914, the famous Hill of Grace shiraz vines were more than 50 years old. They were planted around the 1860s by an ancestor, Nicolaus Stanitzki, in rich alluvial soil in a shallow fertile valley just north-west of the winery. Hill of Grace is a unique delineated single historic vineyard. The vineyard lies opposite a beautiful old Lutheran Church, built of local field stone, which was euphoniously named Gnadenberg, meaning Hill of Grace.
Cyril Henschke, the fourth generation, made the first single-vineyard wine from these vines in 1958. The original vines are now over 145 years old. The handpicked grapes are vinified in traditional open-top fermenters.

Vintage Description

The 2006 vintage shaped up as another high quality year but with only average yields in the Eden Valley. After a late break in mid-June 2005, winter and spring rains were some of the best for years in the lead-up to flowering in early summer. Some varieties, such as riesling and shiraz, suffered more than others from poor set, leading to ‘hen and chicken’. While there was some damage in Eden Valley from frost, this had only a minor impact on the overall yield; however, yields in most varieties were down by 15-20%. The summer was mild with southerly winds, reminiscent of 2002. Brief heat waves occurred in late January and mid-February but were early enough not to affect quality, with only minor sunburn on exposed fruit.

Wine Description

Dark crimson in colour. A complex, spicy nose of tar, anise, blackberries and blueberries with hints of five spice, vanilla and cedar. The sweet, lush and fleshy palate displays great depth and texture, with excellent length and intensity and fine, velvety tannins.

Cellaring Potential

Exceptional vintage, drink now to 2026

Serving Idea