2008 henschke, hill of grace vineyard, eden valley
Why We're Buying
Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz is the highest-priced red wine from the Eden Valley. It doesn't just live up to the hype, though; it exceeds it. No vintage has ever scored lower than a 93-point rating from a major publication, with the 2015 vintage earning a perfect score from critic James Suckling, who called it "a collector's dream."
Critics Scores
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
According to Stephen Henschke, the 2008 Hill of Grace Shiraz was among the earlier picks that vintage, avoiding the worst of the heatwave that followed. It was never the most elegant or perfumed vintage, but it's rich and creamy, loaded with mocha and blackberry flavors. Full-bodied and intense, it remains rather big and muscular, with a slightly coarse but tremendously long finish. It could go another 20 years in a cool cellar.
James Suckling
Terrific colour and depth. Nose has almost bottomless depth and richness: very, very dark spice and dark plum fruit aromas with baking spices and fragrant exotic Eastern spice notes. Plenty of baking spice here too. The palate has immensely supple and deep, dense tannins; terrific strength and length; and layers of ripe, rich dark plum and cherry fruit flavor. Tannins drive sheet-like through the palate and deliver long and juicy. The oak is beautifully matched, and there's a super creamy graphite-tinged impression with an immense future ahead.