WTN: 2005 Henschke Shiraz Mt. Edelstone - from the dark side

14.5% alcohol, and immediately makes a bad impression once opened with aromas that are closer to the stereotype of jammy, overblown Barossa Shiraz than any of the more classical wines Henschke used to produce in the 90s and early 2000s. Each taste confirms the worst - overripe blueberries and jammy dark fruits with vanilla and oaky accents, coming across heavy, gloppy and stewed with little acidity or structure, and searing alcoholic heat on the back end. Hideous and undrinkable, and a complete departure from the finessed, elegant wines I recollect Henschke producing in the past. Another once-great Aussie producer making Mollydookerish, caricatured wines. Damnit.