Details
The 2009 vintage was preceded by another cold, drought winter, with 399mm rainfall in Eden Valley for the year (a good year would see 500mm). It was the coldest August since 1951. Spring had a few heat spikes up into the mid to high 30s, some frost damage in low-lying areas, but very little rain during September and October. In fact, it was the driest
September for 30 years and the driest October on record. Staggered flowering resulted from cool weather which reduced the fruit set. Some varieties were also pruned back hard to just a few spurs to allow them to survive with no water. Rain arrived mid-December with around 65mm recorded, making it the wettest month of the whole year.
The cool southerlies continued through into the new year, reminiscent of 2005. December didn’t record any days over 32C. January brought a record six days over 40C, not seen since 1908, causing vine stress, exacerbated by drought conditions and empty dams, followed by another week of hot weather culminating in a 46C day on Black Saturday on February 7. Fortunately, subsequent weather was mild and dry, with perfect ripening weather from March 1 moving into autumn mode. A strong change brought a general rain across the state with 10-20mm in early March, which helped with ripening and flavour development. The Indian summer in late March brought ripening forward with all the whites finished and in the winery by early April.
In the Bottle
| Vintage | 2009 |
|---|---|
| Grape Variety | 71% grenache, 20% mourvèdre and 9% shiraz grapes from selected vineyards growing in the Barossa Valley. |
| Technical Details | Harvest Date: 6 March-24 April Alcohol: 15% | pH: 3.45 | Acidity: 6.4 g/L | |
| Maturation | Grenache, mourvèdre and shiraz vinified separately. Matured in older French hogheads for 12 months prior to blending and bottling. |
| Background | Named as a tribute to the early Barossa Lutheran pioneers, many of whom carried the first name of Johann. Their toil, perseverance and conservatism in hardship has meant that the many generations that followed rejoiced in the riches of their prudent efforts. Barossa growers traditionally referred to their vineyard as their garden, from the german Weingarten. This blend is just one of those blessings. The traditions and culture have survived to this day including the winemaking techniques used in this grenache blend. It is produced from low-yielding, old, gnarled, dry-grown bush and trellised vines on limestone soils from selected vineyards. |
| Cellaring Potential | Excellent vintage, 10+ years. |
Vintage 2006. 15 October 2008 Issue, Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator
Offers red plum, blackberry and floral flavors…delectable balance that lets the fruit sing sweetly…91 points.
Vintage 2005. 13 April 2007, Nick Stock, Adelaide Review Food and Wine Section
This is one of the first 2005 reds unleashed from the Henschke Cellars and it's a stunning rendition of grenache, mourvedre and shiraz. The 2005 vintage played into the hands of these varieties, delivering full maturity over a mild finish to the season. Superb, pure and concentrated fruit aromas, plums, blue and red berries, spice and creamy oak, this is still a young pup and has plenty of development ahead. The palate is supple and generous with terrific integration, its fine dense tannins carry abundant flavours of ripe red fruits and spice. Here too, concentration and purity are the hallmarks, driving flavours bright and lifted through the finish. Do not miss out on this wine, it's worth every cent.
Vintage 2005. 28 April 2007, Max Allen, Weekend Australian
I have a big, moist soft spot for this delicious Barossa red - and have had since the first vintage in the late '90s. Once again, the blend of grenache, mataro and shiraz provides a rich, purple mouthful of spicy berries and a warm (15 per cent alcohol) but soft finish.
Vintage 2004. August 2007, James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion
Bright red-purple; vibrant and fragrant; light-to-medium bodied, but an intense and long spray of red fruits; shows just what can be done with this blend. Rating 94/100.