2023 Tappa Pass

Barossa

Shiraz

Deep ruby with purple hues. Lifted aromas of boysenberry, mulberry, blueberry and raspberry are layered with crushed herbs, bay leaf and violet florals. An elegant palate of luscious red and blue fruits is complemented by dark spice notes of star anise, clove, nutmeg and black pepper, balanced by fresh acidity and fine velvety tannins that drive a long, persistent finish.

$127.00
$127.00
Deep ruby with purple hues. Lifted aromas of boysenberry, mulberry, blueberry and raspberry are layered with crushed ...

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BACKGROUND

The Barossa has a core of grape growers of German Silesian descent dating back six generations, staunchly continuing the traditions of their forebears. Up to 70-year-old, low-yielding shiraz is selected from historical grower vineyards at Tappa Pass and Light Pass, growing in low-fertility soils that range from terra rossa to red-brown earths, derived from Neoproterozoic bedrock more than 542 million years old. These vineyards provide exceptional quality shiraz fruit from both the Eden Valley and Barossa Valley regions of the Barossa, vinified in traditional open-top fermenters.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Varieties: 100% Shiraz

Harvest Date: 21 March – 11 April

Alcohol: 14.5%

Vintage Rating: Excellent vintage

Maturation: Matured in 10% new and 90% seasonedFrench oak hogsheads for 17 months prior to
blending and bottling

Cellaring Potential: 20+ years (from vintage)

VINTAGE

By late winter of 2022 the soil profiles had been refilled with well above average rainfall, which continued throughout spring. Shoot thinning during the growing season to open up the canopy helped to overcome disease pressure. Dry and cool conditions in December continued throughout summer, causing late flowering and impacting fruit set. Light rain events in autumn resulted in a slower ripening period in the lead up to harvest, which provided great flavour development and acid retention. Despite the challenges of the season, yields were above average with larger berry size compensating for the poor set. The 2023 vintage will be remembered for excellent quality wines with fruit purity, good structure, mature tannins and great length. 

TASTING NOTES

The Barossa has a core of grape growers of German Silesian descent dating back six generations, staunchly continuing the traditions of their forebears. Up to 70-year-old, low-yielding shiraz is selected from historical grower vineyards at Tappa Pass and Light Pass, growing in low-fertility soils that range from terra rossa to red-brown earths, derived from Neoproterozoic bedrock more than 542 million years old. These vineyards provide exceptional quality shiraz fruit from both the Eden Valley and Barossa Valley regions of the Barossa, vinified in traditional open-top fermenters.

Varieties: 100% Shiraz

Harvest Date: 21 March – 11 April

Alcohol: 14.5%

Vintage Rating: Excellent vintage

Maturation: Matured in 10% new and 90% seasonedFrench oak hogsheads for 17 months prior to
blending and bottling

Cellaring Potential: 20+ years (from vintage)

By late winter of 2022 the soil profiles had been refilled with well above average rainfall, which continued throughout spring. Shoot thinning during the growing season to open up the canopy helped to overcome disease pressure. Dry and cool conditions in December continued throughout summer, causing late flowering and impacting fruit set. Light rain events in autumn resulted in a slower ripening period in the lead up to harvest, which provided great flavour development and acid retention. Despite the challenges of the season, yields were above average with larger berry size compensating for the poor set. The 2023 vintage will be remembered for excellent quality wines with fruit purity, good structure, mature tannins and great length. 

17+/20
"Relatively deep crimson for a Henschke wine. Pleasing, impressive, restrained but aromatic South Australian Shiraz with an appetising dry, persistent finish. There’s a black-olive note on this distinctly savoury (not sweet) nourishing wine. Already approachable but it gives the impression of holding a lot in reserve."

JANCIS ROBINSON, JANCISROBINSON.COM

96 Points
"A pure elegance resides here dressed in brilliant crimson-purple hues accompanied by a rousing bouquet of blackberries, violet, Aussie bush scents, black cherries, plum, spice. The palate, nicely crafted, shows a hint of earthy savouriness before launching into a rich trove of spices in cassia bark, clove and dark spiced woody notes to match the dark chocolate, Cherry Ripe and oak Comes together with an overall Wow! on the finish."

JENI PORT, WINEPILOT.COM

95 Points
"There’s a richness and depth of bouquet and flavour here that reflects those older vines and their resilience and elder wisdom. Dark fruited, earthy, some rich, almost cedary wood, almost dark choc mint as well, perhaps some big gum influence all adding a dense weave of vinous interest through the palate, which is deftly concentrated, inherently powerful and holds within it a sense of enduring respect in every sip."

TONY LOVE, WINEPILOT.COM

95 Points
"...black pepper mix with black cherry and blackberry for a very appealing opening...black olive tapenade, charred meat, woody spice, a flicker of leather, clove and dried violet, with plum and graphite emerging with air. The palate is cool yet dense...black cherry, blackberry, plum, leather, meat, black olive and pepper spice. The tannins are firm and grainy...wonderfully integrated, providing a frame on which it all carries very long..."

TOM KLINE, WINEPILOT.COM

95 Points
"Savoury plum and liquorice notes emerge on the nose, while the palate reveals a grainy texture supported by fine, slightly chalky tannins. Neatly integrated oak provides both structure and balance, guiding the wine through to a long and composed finish."

RAY JORDAN, WINEPILOT.COM