Winemaker Notes
Deep crimson with ruby hues. Attractive aromas of spiced plum, red currant and blue and black berry fruits are met with floral nuances of violets and black pepper spice. The round, supple palate is filled with juicy blue and red fruits, spiced plum, liquorice and notes of crushed tarragon, with beautifully textured svelte tannins and a long, peppery finish.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This has a very impressively fresh and vibrant nose with boysenberries and raspberries, as well as cherries on offer. There’s richness and ripeness to the palate here with a fresh, assertive yet very approachable palate. A blend of 73% shiraz (co-fermented with 5% viognier), 17% grenache and 5% mataro.
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Decanter
Silky layers of molasses, smoky dark fruit and spiced aromatics, peppery dark fruit, spiced oak and supple tannins on the palate
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Wine Spectator
This refined red offers up-front smoky, peppery aromas, with touches of smoked paprika and espresso mingling with the dense blueberry and blackberry flavors at the core. The tannins are firm but polished, revealing hints of dried floral and mocha on the finish. Shiraz and Mataro. Drink now through 2031.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2017 Henry's Seven is 73% Shiraz, 17% Grenache, 5% Mataro and 5% Viognier. While it lacks the depth and richness of Henscke's top-level bottlings, it's wonderfully complex, with notes of menthol, juniper, thyme and allspice accenting blueberries and blackberries. Medium to full-bodied and silky in texture, it can be drunk now or cellared 5-8 years.
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Wine Enthusiast
This is a young, big-boned Rhône-style blend from one of Barossa’s most esteemed and historic producers. It’s unsurprising here in Shiraz country that this is the variety that dominates. If drinking now, be warned it’s initially quite reductive and needs time in a decanter before those vegetal, damp earth aromas subside. Once they do, red fruit, milk chocolate and earthy spices float to the fore. The palate is full and rich, swelling with red fruit and well-integrated tannins.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
The Barossa Zone encompasses the Barossa Valley and Eden Valley. Some of the oldest vines in Australia can be found here.
Barossa Valley of course is the most important and famous wine growing region in all of Australia where 140+ year-old, dry-farmed Shiraz vines still produce inky, purple and dense juice for some of Australia's best wines.
In the cooler, wetter Eden Valley sub-region, the Hill of Grace vineyard is home to famous Shiraz vines from the 1800s but the region produces also some of Australia’s very best and age-worthy Rieslings.