Henschke Keyneton Euphonium Eden Valley 2019

Description

The Henschke family have been making wine at their estate in the Eden Valley since 1868. Fifth-generation winemaker Stephen Henschke took over running the winery in 1979. Together with his viticulturist wife Prue, they have taken their two single vineyards, Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone, and transformed them into two of Australia’s most sought-after wines. Through a combination of great viticulture from Prue, who is at the forefront of re-introducing native plants into their vineyards to improve biodiversity, and winemaking from Stephen, they have built upon their inheritance and turned this traditional producer into one that is recognised by savvy wine drinkers throughout the world.

Keyneton Euphonium is a beautiful composition of shiraz from up to 50-year-old vines growing in the Eden and Barossa Valleys, blended with cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc from selected vineyards in both regions; some of which were planted by Cyril Henschke at his Eden Valley property in the 1960s. The Barossa hills village of Keyneton, pioneered by pastoralist Joseph Keynes in 1842, was a musical and cultural focus for the early settlers, and was home to the Henschke Family Brass Band and the Henschke winery. The Henschke Family Band was founded in 1888 by Paul Gotthard Henschke and later led by third-generation Paul Alfred Henschke, and featured wonderful wind instruments such as a B flat euphonium, cornet and E flat clarinet. The B flat euphonium, a large brass wind instrument, was made by the famous Zimmermann factory in Leipzig, Germany, in the late 19th century. The instruments were imported by musical entrepreneur, Carl Engel of Adelaide in the late 1800s and have been lovingly restored and remain in the Henschke family.

"While Australia is moving to the 2020 vintage imminently, the 2019 Euphonium is being released in the UK now, and this neatly lines up with the single vineyard releases. Thank goodness there is slightly more stock of this cuvée in 2019 because this old-fashioned ‘dry red’ blend is a complete and utter charmer in 2019. Harmonious, pretty, and packed with freshness and brightness, this is a smooth wine that is at its peak right now. I am sure it will hold for a good few years, but it is the only one of these 2019s you can confidently drink now without feeling guilty! Stephen Henschke puts this vintage’s success down to Eden Valley’s later ripening and its natural elegance and higher acid. And, of course, this all plays into Keynton’s hands. This is a seamless wine, and as a lifelong fan of the Shiraz/Cab blend, this wine plays straight into my sweet spot! Considering its price, this is an unmissable 2019 Henschke release, and if you have yet to indulge in these delicious wines, this wine is the place to start! "18/20 (Drink now – 2032). Matthew Jukes, February 2024.