Winemaker Notes
Medium garnet with garnet hues. Vibrant aromas of raspberry compote, red currant, plum and black cherry, with a subtle pink grapefruit lift, crushed flowering herbs, white pepper and hints of anise and mace. The palate is juicy and plush, with red currant, spiced cherry and plum carried by mature, velvety tannins and well balanced acidity providing length and freshness.
Blend: 80% Grenache, 20% Mataro
Professional Ratings
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Australian Wine Companion
80/20% grenache/mataro, sourced from the survivor vines (70+ years old) from established Henschke growers. A wonderfully composed blend showing fragrant fruit notes of ripe satsuma plum, blueberry and cranberry with hints of Asian spice, redcurrant jelly, gingerbread, earth and a light whiff of orange blossom. Medium bodied, with the trademark Henschke detail and clarity of fruit; everything in its place, nothing clashing, with bright lacy acidity, gentle fine sandy tannin grip and pure easy-drinking, savoury-edged flow.
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Decanter
The Shiraz component has gone from this blend, celebrating its 25th anniversary this vintage, so it is now 80% Grenache and 20% Mataro, made from Barossa Survivor Vines of 70 years or older. Big and bold spiced cherries and sweet baking spices alongside, wild raspberry and floral talcum powder. Sappy, chalky tannins, bright acidity and a long, supple finish. Named for the early Barossa Lutheran grape growers, many of whom were called Johann, who tended their weingartens.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This 2020 Johann's Garden is savory and meaty, with masses of cherry kirsch, salted licorice and an herbal character of thyme/lavender. In the mouth, the wine has a distinct blood and iodine plume that forms a bowl in which the fruit characters rest. Lovely, with very fine 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.