-
98
/ 100
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate -
98
/ 100
Ken Gargett – Winepilot.com -
97
/ 100
James Halliday -
97
/ 100
James Suckling
Red
Classification
Shiraz
Variety
2002
Vintage
750ml (Bottle)
Bottle Size
Australia
Country
South Australia, Eden Valley
Region
14.5%
Alcohol %
15 Plus Years
Cellaring
Scores
98 / 100"One of Australia's legendary icons is Henschke's Shiraz Hill of Grace. The 2002 is 100% Shiraz aged 18 months in 100% new French and American oak. It boasts an inky/blue/purple color as well as extraordinary uplifted aromatics of acacia flowers, ground pepper, espresso roast, blackberries, cassis, chocolate, and smoke. This stacked and packed, full-bodied Shiraz possesses formidable concentration, moderately high but silky tannin, and a finish that exceeds one minute. A modern day legend, it should easily evolve for 20-25 years. -By Robert Parker"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
98 / 100
"2002 was a cold year, the best of the early vintages from this century. Stephen calls the 2000s a decade of refined style. Maroon/red, moving to darker notes here. Black cherries, dried herbs, and chocolate. A hint of undergrowth. Mature yet fresh and fabulous. The palate reveals truffles, cloves, and leather, along with a slightly meaty note. Serious concentration is evident, the balance remains first class, and the intensity does not waiver. Seductive texture. The length on many of these wines has impressed, but few can match this. A cracking Hill of Grace, still with many years ahead of it."
- Ken Gargett – Winepilot.com
97 / 100
"Holding its hue well; fragrant black fruits with touches of licorice and spice run through the bouquet, with oak in the background. The medium-bodied palate is feline and focused; very long, finishing with exceptionally fine-grained tannins. Harmonious and elegant, there is no intrusion whatsoever from the alcohol; effortless power. While retail prices always have a degree of elasticity, this wine has overtaken the price of the 02 Penfolds Grange, released at the same time."
- James Halliday
97 / 100
"Exceptional vintage. A very cool year that was saved by a warm Autumn. This has dark coloor and shows plenty of pomegranate, raspberry and red cherry fruits, hints of tobacco and citrus, some red liquorice and five spice. The palate has richness, softness and density - a luxurious textural wine that delivers immense red and dark fruit flavour, lots of plum, plenty of spice and terrific smooth, sweeping tannins that drive through the finish. Try around 2025."
- James Suckling
Tasting Notes
Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz is Australia's most famous single vineyard wine, sourced from the historic Hill of Grace Vineyard. This beautiful site was first planted in 1860 with pre-phylloxera shiraz vines brought from Europe. The oldest vines provide the magical ingredients in Hill of Grace. They deliver berries of incomparable texture and complexity, which gives the wine its trademark elegance, intensity and finesse. The first vintage of Hill Of Grace was produced by Cyril Henschke in 1958, which means the vineyard was almost 100 years old when the first wine was released!
"One of Australia's legendary icons is Henschke's Hill of Grace Shiraz. The 2002 is a stacked and packed, full-bodied Shiraz which possesses formidable concentration, moderately high but silky tannin, and a finish that exceeds one minute. A modern day legend, it should easily evolve for 20-25 years." Robert Parker
"Intensely rich dark crimson in colour. Enticing, deep and concentrated blackcurrant and blac
Tasting Profile
- Light
- Full
- Low Tannin
- Tannic
- Sweet
- Dry
- Low Acidity
- High Acidity