Country: Australia  Region: Barossa  Valley  Vintage: 2019 Producer: Henschke Estate Description : The Shiraz, Grenache, Mataro, Viognier blend is a tribute to Henry Evans who planted the first vineyard of seven acres at Keyneton in 1853. He quickly developed a reputation for producing the best wines in the southern colony. Following Henry’s death in 1868, his widow Sarah exercised her temperance convictions by closing the winery and uprooting all the wine grapes. This blend highlights the historical introduction of southern French and Spanish varieties to South Australia in those early pioneering days and reflects the history, religion and culture of the Barossa. Fermentation took place in traditional concrete open-top fermenters. The Shiraz was co-fermented with the Viognier, and later blended with separate parcels of Grenache and Mataro. The wine then spent 10 months in seasoned French oak hogsheads, of which 10% were new. TASTING NOTES: Deep garnet with violet hues. A striking bouquet of ripe plum, raspberry, blueberry and notes of blackberry intertwine with savoury notes of cracked black pepper, flowering herbs, fresh tarragon and bay leaf. Dark plum, berry compote, rhubarb and raspberry flavours lead to a peppery mid-palate of vibrant red berry acidity and fine-grained tannins, finishing with lingering flavours of mulberry and black pepper.