TN: Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz 1990
Rates as one of my all-time favourite Aussie Shiraz and, somewhat remarkably, can still be found around the traps, as was realised in this instance, for roughly the same, sometimes a good deal less, than the current release; such are the forces/intracacies of the local secondary market, especially if you know where to look.
Nineteen-ninety was an awesome year for Henschke, in both colours. The Hill of Grace, Cyril and Mt. Edelstone, even the humbly-priced Eden Valley Riesling rate extraordinarily highly in my tastings over the years with virtually zero disappointments to report.
Fully mature red brick hue followed by brilliantly conceived, seamlessly integrated aromatics of red licorice, cedar, old saddle leather, game, meat juices, redcurrant, red plums and beautifully-judged spicy/vanillin/coconut oak. The palate, another fine testimony to precision winemaking - smooth and elegant flowing like liquid silk through the mouth and laden with gorgeous similar red, and traces of some underpinning darker, fruit (mainly in the blackberry spectrum) reminding this taster of the ancient vines from which this vinous nectar was sourced. Expectedly, the finish is soft and gentle with the laciest of fine tannins and melting acidity now both fully resolved, albeit incredibly long and resilient in the mouth. A truly remarkable experience and I’m glad I have more to savour over the next year. If you have any, drink up, this most outstanding wine will not improve. 94 points. 13.5% a/v with an incredibly crumbly cork, half of which remains in the bottle as I type. This was the perfect foil to well over a week of severe viral infections, house-bound recovery and annoying, but essential, antibiotic treatment.