Region: Eden Valley
Sub Region: Wheelwright Vineyard
Variety: Shiraz
Country: Australia
Vintage: 2022
The Wine
The Wheelwright Shiraz comes from a single Eden Valley vineyard planted by Cyril Henschke in 1968 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Henschke family winery. The wine itself was first released to commemorate 150 years of Henschke family winemaking and pays tribute to Johann Christian Henschke, the family’s founder, winemaker, stonemason and skilled wheelwright.
The Wheelwright Vineyard is the most southerly of Henschke’s three single-vineyard Shiraz sites and shows a different expression to both Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone. It is typically more red-fruited, floral, energetic and immediately expressive, with fine tannins and bright natural acidity.
The 2022 vintage suits the site beautifully. A mild, late season has delivered a wine of perfume, freshness and shape: red fruits, blueberry, violet, pepper, sage, flowering herbs, graphite and fine spice. It is matured for 20 months in French oak hogsheads, 10% new and 90% seasoned, giving polish and structure without overwhelming the vineyard character.
This is a beautifully seductive expression of Eden Valley Shiraz, with impressive depth, concentration and freshness. It is perhaps the most immediately charming of the 2022 Henschke Shiraz releases, while still carrying the structure and balance for long-term cellaring.
Cellared Says
The Wheelwright can sometimes sit in the shadow of Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone, but the 2022 deserves real attention. It is fragrant, pure and beautifully shaped, with red fruit, spice, violet lift and fine chalky tannins.
For collectors, this is a smart addition alongside the two icons. For drinkers, it may be the most approachable and seductive of the trio, while still offering decades of life ahead. We often show this wine at our corporate events and it never fails to inspire the guests. A serious wine at a considered price.
Reviews
97 Points – Ray Jordan
“This distinctive wine has been an annual favourite of mine from the time it was first released.” Ray Jordan praises its bright red fruits, lively acidity, chalky tannins, peppery violet fragrance, depth and 30-year cellaring potential.
96 Points – Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate
Erin Larkin notes lifted spice, purple flowers, pomegranate, raspberry, red liquorice, pink peppercorn, olive tapenade and impressive persistence.
96 Points – Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
Dave Brookes highlights blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, brown spice, flowering herbs, sage, violets, graphite and a graceful, sustained finish.
96 Points – Nick Ryan, The Australian
Nick Ryan describes vibrant berry fruit, Dutch liquorice, dark spice, violets, rosemary and plush, supple tannins.
18/20 – Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson notes composed aromatics, freshness, delicacy and a soothing, persistent finish.
18.5/20 – Matthew Jukes
Matthew Jukes calls it the most complete vintage of The Wheelwright to date, praising its purity, elegance and linear structure.
Region: Eden Valley
Sub Region: Wheelwright Vineyard
Variety: Shiraz
Country: Australia
Vintage: 2022
The Wine
The Wheelwright Shiraz comes from a single Eden Valley vineyard planted by Cyril Henschke in 1968 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Henschke family winery. The wine itself was first released to commemorate 150 years of Henschke family winemaking and pays tribute to Johann Christian Henschke, the family’s founder, winemaker, stonemason and skilled wheelwright.
The Wheelwright Vineyard is the most southerly of Henschke’s three single-vineyard Shiraz sites and shows a different expression to both Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone. It is typically more red-fruited, floral, energetic and immediately expressive, with fine tannins and bright natural acidity.
The 2022 vintage suits the site beautifully. A mild, late season has delivered a wine of perfume, freshness and shape: red fruits, blueberry, violet, pepper, sage, flowering herbs, graphite and fine spice. It is matured for 20 months in French oak hogsheads, 10% new and 90% seasoned, giving polish and structure without overwhelming the vineyard character.
This is a beautifully seductive expression of Eden Valley Shiraz, with impressive depth, concentration and freshness. It is perhaps the most immediately charming of the 2022 Henschke Shiraz releases, while still carrying the structure and balance for long-term cellaring.
Cellared Says
The Wheelwright can sometimes sit in the shadow of Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone, but the 2022 deserves real attention. It is fragrant, pure and beautifully shaped, with red fruit, spice, violet lift and fine chalky tannins.
For collectors, this is a smart addition alongside the two icons. For drinkers, it may be the most approachable and seductive of the trio, while still offering decades of life ahead. We often show this wine at our corporate events and it never fails to inspire the guests. A serious wine at a considered price.
Reviews
97 Points – Ray Jordan
“This distinctive wine has been an annual favourite of mine from the time it was first released.” Ray Jordan praises its bright red fruits, lively acidity, chalky tannins, peppery violet fragrance, depth and 30-year cellaring potential.
96 Points – Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate
Erin Larkin notes lifted spice, purple flowers, pomegranate, raspberry, red liquorice, pink peppercorn, olive tapenade and impressive persistence.
96 Points – Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
Dave Brookes highlights blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, brown spice, flowering herbs, sage, violets, graphite and a graceful, sustained finish.
96 Points – Nick Ryan, The Australian
Nick Ryan describes vibrant berry fruit, Dutch liquorice, dark spice, violets, rosemary and plush, supple tannins.
18/20 – Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson notes composed aromatics, freshness, delicacy and a soothing, persistent finish.
18.5/20 – Matthew Jukes
Matthew Jukes calls it the most complete vintage of The Wheelwright to date, praising its purity, elegance and linear structure.
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