Henschke, `Keyneton Euphonium` Barossa Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Cabernet Franc
Vintage: 2018
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | HE504N18 | 6 x 75 | Screwcap | Contact Us |
Producer
The Henschke family have made wine at their estate in the Eden Valley since 1868, with fifth-generation winemaker Stephen Henschke taking over in 1979. Together with his viticulturist wife, Prue, they have built upon their inheritance, transforming this traditional producer into one that is celebrated worldwide. Their two flagship single vineyards wines, ‘Hill of Grace’ and ‘Mount Edelstone’, have become two of Australia’s most acclaimed.
Henschke own three vineyards in the Eden Valley and one in the Adelaide Hills, all of which are farmed in line with biodynamic principles. Prue’s pioneering work in the vineyard cannot be underestimated. Over the past 50 years she has worked tirelessly, vine by vine, to improve the health of the vineyards through meticulous soil management and reintroducing native plants to promote biodiversity.
In 2024 Prue became the inaugural inductee into the James Halliday Hall of Fame, the highest honour bestowed by Halliday Wine Companion: “Prue Henschke is someone who could easily have won Viticulturist of the Year, in any ‘competition’ around the world, every year. She could because every year she leaves her world that little bit healthier, and that little bit better. If the ‘Hill of Grace’ vineyard could talk, you’d reckon that it would thank the world and perhaps even the Lord for bestowing the force-of-nature that is Prue Henschke upon it.” In 2025, Stephen was honoured with the IMW’s Winemaker’s Winemaker Award which recognises outstanding winemaking achievement. Stephen was lauded as “a true custodian of Australia’s fine wine heritage and a pioneer in shaping its future.”
The eight-hectare ‘Hill of Grace’ vineyard, first planted in 1860, is situated in the historic village of Parrot Hill, four kilometres northwest of Henschke Cellars. Though originally purchased by second-generation Paul Gotthard Henschke in 1891, it was not until 1958 that fourth-generation winemaker Cyril Henschke made the first single vineyard Shiraz bottling from its grapes. Cyril then purchased the nearby 16-hectare ‘Mount Edelstone’ vineyard in 1974, from which he had already been buying fruit and making ‘Mount Edelstone’ Shiraz for over 20 years.
For the revered single vineyard wines, the 2021 vintage has been hailed as the standout of the decade and promises to be remembered for wines of complexity with exceptional varietal expression, balance and purity. Renowned expert on Australian wine, Andrew Caillard MW, suggested that the 2021 vintage was “heaven sent” and would be remembered as one of the most spectacular in recent memory.
Vineyards
Keyneton Euphonium is a composition of Shiraz from up to 50-year-old vines growing in the Eden and Barossa Valleys, blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc from selected vineyards in both regions, some of which were planted by Cyril Henschke at his Eden Valley property in the 1960s. The village of Keyneton, pioneered by pastoralist Joseph Keynes in 1842, was a musical and cultural focus for early settlers, and was home to the Henschke family brass band, founded in 1888. One of their instruments was a B flat euphonium, which has been lovingly restored and remains a Henschke family heirloom.
Vintage
A moderately wet winter combined with average spring conditions gave the vines a good start. Ideal flowering conditions in late spring/early summer led to the potential for near-average yields. Late December became warm and dry and assured for healthy canopies with low disease pressure. The summer months were typically hot and dry, although extreme heat periods were shorter than in recent years. Warm weather across March and April led to full and balanced maturity being achieved across all grape varieties. The 2018 vintage will be considered a standout of this decade.
Vinification
All grapes were hand harvested in the cool of the morning. Each parcel was picked and vinified separately. Once in the winery, the grapes were destemmed and lightly crushed into small, concrete or stainless steel open-top fermenters. Pump-overs were performed twice daily, allowing the liquid to be cooled via a heat-exchanger, with air being introduced on the return to the fermenter. After 7-10 days the ferments were gently pressed to barrel with the primary fermentation finishing in 85% French and 15% American oak (19% new and 85% seasoned) hogshead barrels. The wine matured for 18 months before assemblage and bottling, with the wine remaining in bottle for two years before release.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
Deep crimson with vibrant ruby hues. Lifted aromas of ripe blackberry, blackcurrant and cassis. There are notes of violets, black pepper and cedar. Rich concentrated flavours of dark plum and blackcurrant. Bright balanced acidity, and excellent length, carried by fine-grained tannins.
Alcohol (ABV)
14.5%
Acidity
6.2 g/l
pH
3.65