Henschke Keyneton Euphonium, Barossa Valley
Country
Australia
bottle size
750 ml
Wine Type
Red Wine
Wine Region
Barossa Valley
Grape Variety
Blended
vintage
2018 [**VINTAGE MAY CHANGE]
Alcohol
14%
characteristics
Body
Full
Full
Full
Acidity
Medium
Medium
Medium
Tannin
Medium
Medium
Medium
2018 [**VINTAGE MAY CHANGE]
Product Description
Deep crimson with vibrant ruby hues. Lifted aromas of ripe blackberry, blackcurrant, cassis, Satsuma plum, blueberry, anise and violets with hints of black pepper and cedar. Rich and concentrated flavours of dark plum, blackberry and blackcurrant, with a pure, plush and focused mid-palate, bright, balanced acidity, and excellent length, carried by fine-grained, ripe tannins. One of the all-time great vintages of this wine.
wine score
95 points Wine Enthusiast
Euphonium is a blend of Shiraz, both Cabs and Merlot, all from old vines. In typical Henschke style, it’s distinctively aromatic. Chinese Five Spice, beetroot and green peppercorn weave between red- and black-berry fruit. The pal- ate is powerful with lovely tangy acidity, a satiny quality to the fruit and a frame of fine, dusty tannins. Drinking with ease now, this could continue to age for 7-8 years more.
92 points Wine Advocate
The 2018 Keyneton Euphonium is a blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot and carries a profusion of dusty black tannin and brooding purple fruit. There are notes of meat broth, field mushrooms, fresh leather, blackberry, brown sugar and a molasses character. I know from some of the other Henschke reds that the fruit actually rises above the structure with a decant (or time in the glass), so this is recommended in order to catch the beautiful 2018 fruit on offer here. This is a savory wine—layered and long.
91 points Wine Spectator
Leads with toasted herbs and touches of tobacco and peppery spices, which add an appealing savory element, while details of cumin and bay leaf mix with a core of cassis and blackberry on a plush, elegant frame.
95 points James Suckling
Spicy and creamy shiraz-based blend with velvety tannins framing a silky core of dark fruit, licorice, cloves, grilled herbs and spices. Five spice and smoked paprika coming through. Full-bodied yet elegant.
Profile
Grape Blended
65% Shiraz | 23% Cabernet Sauvignon | 9% Cabernet Franc | 3% Merlot
Palate
The palate is rich and lush, with fantastic balance between concentrated blackberry, mulberry and plum fruit flavours, spicy black pepper and mocha undertones, layers of texture, velvety fine-grained tannins and great length.
Colour
Very deep crimson in colour.
Aroma
Enticing aromas of blackberries, mulberries and ripe plums with herbaceous notes of crushed fresh bay leaf and sage, and underlying nuances of black pepper.
Palate
The palate is rich and lush, with fantastic balance between concentrated blackberry, mulberry and plum fruit flavours, spicy black pepper and mocha undertones, layers of texture, velvety fine-grained tannins and great length.
Wine Pairing
:Beef
:Lamb
Product details
Vintage Description
A moderately wet winter combined with average spring conditions meant that the vines grew well in the mild weather. Ideal flowering conditions in late spring/early summer led to the potential for near-average yields. Late December became warm and dry, ensuring healthy canopies with low disease pressure. The summer months of January and February were typically warm and dry, characterised by above-average overnight temperatures. March and April provided light and warmth which led to full and balanced maturity being achieved across all grape varieties. All in all, the 2018 vintage will be considered a standout of the decade, fittingly so in the year we celebrated our 150th anniversary of family winemaking.
Brand
