2015 The Wheelwright

Eden Valley

Shiraz

Medium ruby with garnet hues. Vibrant aromas of raspberry, red plum, cranberry and pomegranate are lifted by bay leaf, sage, crushed herbs and cedar. A complex and textural palate of dark chocolate, kirsch, orange rind and savoury notes of tea leaf, green peppercorn and mocha is supported by fine, chalky tannins, delivering a long, elegant finish.
$205.00
$205.00
Medium ruby with garnet hues. Vibrant aromas of raspberry, red plum, cranberry and pomegranate are lifted by bay leaf...

SIGN IN FOR MEMBER'S PRICING

VIEW DETAILS

Due to limited production, bottle limits apply.
BACKGROUND

The Wheelwright, first released to commemorate 150 years of Henschke family winemaking, pays tribute to our founder, winemaker Johann Christian Henschke. He was among the first generation of the early German Silesian community of the Barossa in South Australia and established the family winery in 1868. Johann Christian arrived as a skilled stonemason and wheelwright and planted his first vineyards in the high country of the picturesque Eden Valley. This wine is produced from old vine shiraz planted in 1968, a century later, by fourth-generation Cyril Henschke near the village of Eden Valley at 470m altitude. As per the Barossa Old Vine Charter, an ‘old vine’ is equal to or greater than 35 years of age.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Varieties: 100% Shiraz

Harvest Date: 20 March – 2 April

Alcohol: 14.5%

Vintage Rating: Exceptional vintage

Maturation: Matured in 18% new and 82% seasoned (82% French, 18% American) oak hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling. Bottle aged in the Henschke cellar for museum release.

Drinking Window: Drink now to 2045

VINTAGE

A traditionally wet winter, mild spring and excellent fruit set provided a great start to the 2015 vintage after four vintages with below average yields. Spring was dry and led into a very mild, dry summer with no disease, resulting in fruit with higher natural acidity, and incredible flavour and colour concentration. It was a dry, warm and windy start to January, with some welcome rain at the end of the month coinciding with the onset of veraison; perfectly timed for the old dry-grown vineyards. Mild weather followed from February through to April providing a fairytale vintage, eventually winding down at the end of April as the rain and cooler temperatures set in. The 2015 vintage has provided stunning signature regional varieties that show extraordinary flavour, purity of fruit and acid balance with the potential for exceptional ageing. 

The Wheelwright, first released to commemorate 150 years of Henschke family winemaking, pays tribute to our founder, winemaker Johann Christian Henschke. He was among the first generation of the early German Silesian community of the Barossa in South Australia and established the family winery in 1868. Johann Christian arrived as a skilled stonemason and wheelwright and planted his first vineyards in the high country of the picturesque Eden Valley. This wine is produced from old vine shiraz planted in 1968, a century later, by fourth-generation Cyril Henschke near the village of Eden Valley at 470m altitude. As per the Barossa Old Vine Charter, an ‘old vine’ is equal to or greater than 35 years of age.

Varieties: 100% Shiraz

Harvest Date: 20 March – 2 April

Alcohol: 14.5%

Vintage Rating: Exceptional vintage

Maturation: Matured in 18% new and 82% seasoned (82% French, 18% American) oak hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling. Bottle aged in the Henschke cellar for museum release.

Drinking Window: Drink now to 2045

A traditionally wet winter, mild spring and excellent fruit set provided a great start to the 2015 vintage after four vintages with below average yields. Spring was dry and led into a very mild, dry summer with no disease, resulting in fruit with higher natural acidity, and incredible flavour and colour concentration. It was a dry, warm and windy start to January, with some welcome rain at the end of the month coinciding with the onset of veraison; perfectly timed for the old dry-grown vineyards. Mild weather followed from February through to April providing a fairytale vintage, eventually winding down at the end of April as the rain and cooler temperatures set in. The 2015 vintage has provided stunning signature regional varieties that show extraordinary flavour, purity of fruit and acid balance with the potential for exceptional ageing.