Details
In the Bottle
| Vintage | 2012 |
|---|---|
| Grape Variety | 100% pinot noir grapes grown on Stephen and Prue Henschke’s Lenswood vineyard in the Adelaide Hills, planted over 25 years ago. |
| Technical Details | Harvest Date: 29 February-14 March Alcohol: 13% | pH: 3.55 | Acidity: 6.1 g/L | |
| Maturation | Matured on lees in 35% new and 65% used French barriques for 10 months prior to blending and bottling. |
| Background | In 1981, fifth-generation winemaker Stephen Henschke and his wife Prue purchased a property in the Adelaide Hills with the intention of planting varieties well suited to the cooler climate of the region. The vineyard was originally part of a beautiful valley of apple orchards and natural forest that were destroyed by the Ash Wednesday bushfires in 1983. Sitting at an altitude of 550m with an annual average rainfall of 1100mm, the Lenswood vineyard slopes offer not only beautiful views towards the older vine country, but also provide enough sunshine to fully ripen the grapes, together with cooler temperatures to retain natural acidity. The pinot noir vineyard has been named after Charles Giles, an early pioneer whose descendants had managed the property as an apple orchard since 1864. |
| Cellaring Potential | Exceptional vintage, 15+ years (from vintage). |
Vintage 2010 16 November 2011, Kerry Skinner, Illawarra Mercury
From the Adelaide Hills and a wine of finesse from one of Australia's top-shelf producers. Polished and poised with almost 20 different components making up the final blend. Aromatic, tight and bright, cherry, strawberry and plum fruit flavours, spice and savoury characters, silken tannins. Drink with roast duck.
Vintage 2010. October 2011, Gary Walsh
Red cherries, spearmint, roses and subtle spice. Middle weight, lightly sappy and drying in the mouth with a minorly sour edge. Immediately impressed by the persistence and quality of the tannin on the finish. Oak is a part player and the fruit is articulate and pure. Stylish.
Vintage 2008. 4 December 2009, Rick Allen, Manly Daily, Sydney
Good pinot needs to tick a few boxes. A nice aromatic bouquet: this has beautifully fragrant violets and cherry - check. A silkiness in the mouth: it's finegrained and delicate, yet with intense richness of fruit - check. Complexity of flavours: there are layers of dark cherry and red berry flavours, some mint and mixed herbs - check. It's a ripper.
Vintage 2008. March 2010, WBM
The finest Pinot to emerge from the Henschke stable to date. It has a mix of foresty spice and bracken, some oak laid in neatly offering spice and further sweet fragrance. The palate has a wealth of fleshy fruit and ripe glossy tannins.
Vintage 2007. March 2009, Ray Jordan, West Australian
Plenty happening in this classy pinot from the steep slopes of Henschke’s Lenswood vineyard. Dark cherry and rhubarb-like aromas with a subtle smokiness. The palate is seamless and tightly wound with neatly infused oak, fine tannins and deep powerful fruit. Displays an appealing softness while having excellent cellaring potential with its structure. 91/100.
Vintage 2006. 15 October 2008 Issue, Harey Steiman, Wine Spectator
This red is light and lively, with pretty raspberry and strawberry fruit at the fore…long, vivid finish…90 points.
Vintage 2005. June 2007, Rick Allen, Ciao
This is lovely stuff. It is fine boned, almost delicate, but its smooth silky on the mouth and features that surprising length of flavour that good piont demands. The flavours are red cherry and plum with rose petal complexity. It needs time to open up, but is perfect if you are in the mood for something classy.
Vintage 2004. April 2006, Winewise
If you're a pinot noir purist, this wine will appeal to you. Served in a large format glass, the aromas are captivating and verge on the ethereal. Delicate red fruits merge seamlessly with new oak. The tannins are comparatively low key, yet provide an excellent backbone for the lingering varietal flavour. The acidity and the sheer life of this wine suggest that it is well worth cellaring. Highly Recommended.
Vintage 2004. August 2007, James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion
Spotlessly clean; fragrant, spicy, red and black fruit aromas; an elegant, cherry-accented palate; has poise and length. Rating 94/100.