Winemaker Notes
Deep crimson with violet hues. Lifted aromas of blueberry, blackberry, mulberry and Satsuma plum, with nuances of lavender, rose petal, violets, pepper and brown baking spice. A complex palate of blue and red fruits with hints of anise and white pepper, supported by bright acidity, fine tannins and excellent length.
Blend: 81% Shiraz, 11% Grenache, 6% Mataro, 2% Viognier
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
The comparatively affordable “baby brother” to this historic Barossa producer's premium red stable, Henry's is an excellent intro, with brightness and approachability thanks, in part, to the lick of Grenache and Viognier in the blend. Aromas are lucid and layered. Think: raspberry and plum tart, cracked black pepper, thyme and dried flowers, with a freshening berry tang to the palate amidst filigree tannins. Delicious now, it could age another 7-10 years if you've the patience.
Editors' Choice -
James Suckling
Aromas of cherries, wild blackberries, violets, cassia bark and earth. The palate is medium-bodied with finely integrated tannins and bright acidity, giving notes of Damson plums, mocha, dried herbs and spices. A balanced and refined blend of 81% shiraz, 11% grenache, 6% mataro and 2% viognier from a cool vintage.
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Australian Wine Companion
81/11/6/2% shiraz/grenache/mataro/viognier; 84/16% Barossa Valley/Eden Valley. A delicious blend. Spicy and flecked with black pepper, it shows a core of pure satsuma plum, black cherry and black berry fruits with hints of star anise, violets and roasting meats. Supple and fleshy and instantly appealing, finishing stony and savoury. Very moreish.
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Decanter
An approachable wine with notes of ripe red and black plums, juniper berries, oregano and a hint of sweet oak spice. Supple, ripe tannins lend a bit of structure, as does the juicy acidity. Not complex, but nicely balanced, with a long, fresh finish. Harvested 11 April-10 May and aged in 5% new and 95% seasoned hogsheads for 10 months (99% French, 1% American).
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2023 Henry's Seven is supple and fine boned, a product of the cool, wet season that birthed it. In the mouth, the tannins are woody and fine, with star anise, blackcurrant, cassis and bramble woven throughout. This is a leafy rendition of the wine, leaving little pockets of green inflections that could be described as crunchy and good. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
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Wine Spectator
Offers a wonderful mix of fresh fruit flavors and firm, earthy accents. Blackberry, blueberry and black cherry flavors are juicy and generous, with details of tobacco, cedar, herbs and spices on the muscular finish. Shiraz, Grenache, Mataro and Viognier.
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.