Hill of Roses is produced from a mass selection from the Grandfather vines in the Hill of Grace Vineyard, planted as a nursery block in 1989 by Prue Henschke. The planting is known as the ‘Post Office Block’ after the historic Parrot Hill Post Office ruins overlooking the vineyard. These vines were a mere 12 years old when the wine was first produced in 2001 and while the vines are too young to be considered for inclusion in Hill of Grace, the quality of fruit from this selection has produced a wine that warrants a separate bottling and limited release.
Henschke Hill of Grace 2018, Hill of Roses 2018, Mount Edelstone 2018, The Wheelwright 2018 and Cyril Henschke 2018 will be available through fine wine retailers, restaurants and the Henschke Cellar Door and website from Wednesday, 3 May 2023.
HENSCHKE HILL OF ROSES EDEN VALLEY SHIRAZ 2018
“The nose and the palate are totally aligned: red licorice, raspberries, crushed rocks, red velvet, sage, squid ink, aniseed/anise, quartz and brine. There’s the telltale black tea and minerality of the Eden on show, too. This is a sensational wine. This is texturally svelte and seamless (the nod to red velvet above is a textural observation). I love it. If ever I was going to fall for this wine, it would be here, in this clear-spoken, gracefully enunciated 2018 vintage.”
𝟵𝟴 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 – Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
“The perfumed bouquet of cherries and blood plum leads into a palate that literally dances in the mouth, but does so with supreme elegance.”
𝟵𝟴 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 – James Halliday, The Weekend Australian
“Hill of Roses stands alone with its joyous, aromatic-led personality, its warmth wrapped in dark fruits, earth and woodsy spices, its balance and its length. To borrow from the maker, a “long, linear, cool line of tannin” makes for a relaxed and inviting wine.”
𝟵𝟴 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 – Jeni Port, Winepilot
“A core of pure blackberry and dark plum characters leap from the glass along with hints of blackcurrant pastille, sage, bay leaf, dried meats, earth and a gentle violet note. A wonderfully balanced release with a pure, savoury fruit flow flecked with spice and gentle herbs on the finish. Powdered, granitic tannins frame the wine beautifully, finishing mineral-laden with crystal clear definition and impressive persistence.”
𝟵𝟳 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 – Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
“Deep, dark magenta, this is fragrant and exciting with an appealing purity. Chocolate, black fruits, tobacco leaves and it has that spice note. Length is impressive, the acidity fresh and the length is very good. Prue Henschke speaks of the five-spice character which is found in Hill of Grace, and that it is now becoming evident in the Hill of Roses vineyard, although she does note that it took 25-30 years before it became apparent. A superb wine with twenty years ahead.”
𝟵𝟳 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 – Ken Gargett, Winepilot
“The wine is lusciously full and fine-boned in the mouth with sneaky depth and concentration. The texture is finely woven and beautifully harmonious.”
𝟵𝟲 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 – Huon Hooke, The Real Review
“Almost rich, plush and pretty full but fresh on the palate, carried by svelte tannins that glide through to a super lengthy and nuanced finish.”
𝟵𝟲 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 – Zekun Shuai, James Suckling
“Mint, sage and rose petal aromas segue into a palate of blackberry, damson and dark plums framed by mocha-scented, 25% new French oak. Weighty and intense with the concentration to age convincingly in bottle.”
𝟵𝟲 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 – Tim Atkin, TimAtkin.com
“Elemental with attractive purity of fruit and minerally finish. High fidelity wine.”
𝟵𝟱 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 – Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal
“…it exudes raspberry, earthy beetroot, musky incense and Turkish Delight notes, given structure by powdery tannins and crunchy redcurrant acidity. And, suggestive or not, there is a pretty scent of roses running through.”
𝟵𝟱 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 – Tina Gellie, Decanter
“Wonderful texture, and with that depth, a grace, of course, that feels so even and long. Glorious stuff, in a riper, richer vein.”
𝟵𝟱 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 – Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
“Vibrant and youthful, with aromatic waves of raspberry, fennel, five spice, and mint leaf. A smoky edge as it unrolls in the glass, with waves of fresh acidities that underpin the architecture. This is a lusciously mouthwatering Shiraz, hard to argue with, from 29 year old Shiraz vines.”
𝟵𝟰 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 – Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
“…there are blueberry and plum hints, and coffee bean notes that bring more complexity to the fore, making this a delightful wine and one that will start to entertain all-comers early in its life.”
𝟭𝟴.𝟱/𝟮𝟬 – Matthew Jukes, MatthewJukes.com
“Lifted ripe, but carefully controlled, relatively cool Shiraz notes with a lovely gentle, savoury finish. Nothing bombastic about this. A real charmer.”
𝟭𝟴/𝟮𝟬 – Jancis Robinson, JancisRobinson.com
“This is a beautiful, seductive young Shiraz, with a very pretty perfume of bramble berries and a hint of the heady, dark-spice-bazaar and sweet-sage aromas so typical of this site. Intense, elegant and focused, it is utterly delicious…”
𝟏𝟕.𝟓/𝟐𝟎 – Max Allen, JancisRobinson.com