WTN: 1998 Henschke Shiraz Cabernet Malbec Keyneton Estate

[David M. Bueker]

1998 Henschke Shiraz Cabernet Malbec Keyneton Estate - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Eden Valley (4/19/2007)
The next to last Australian wine in my cellar (I really should buy some Semillon), this is really in a style I like. There's austere red fruit on the nose, but broader fruit on the palate. Restrained, elegant, dark cherry flavors with a hint of cedar closet provide a mouthfilling but in no way over-the-top experience. You might be able to fool me into thinking this come from a ripe vintage in France if I am in a weak moment. A hint of blueberry liqueur on the nose betrays a little of its origins, but the overall package is so deliciously integrated that the ripe note does not in any way detract.

Wonderful, understated wine.

David
Agree - a very smart wine (I drank a bottle of this vintage a year or two ago). Nice complexity and not trying too hard. Price in a good vintage is fair, though in poor vintages it's poor value IMO.
regards
Ian

[David M. Bueker]

It's the only vintage of the wine I have ever seen. I wish I could find more.

[David M. Bueker]

And ack(!) it looks like they have replaced the Malbec in the blend with Merlot. Phooey!

David,

Thanks for the note.

Seeing I have quite a bit of this in the cellar, I should start opening a few. In fact, it is the last Henschke red I bought. Henschke had been going through a bit of a horror stretch over the last decade or so, first, dimethyl sulphide, and then, brettanomyces problems, but I believe, from reliable sources, their 2004's look very smart.

How much petrol would you say is left in the tank with this one? Your note suggests this is not about to fall over.

[David M. Bueker]

It's got a few good years left. I really thought it was in a good place, but 2 or 3 more should not see it fall apart.

Thanks for that, good sir.

And ack(!) it looks like they have replaced the Malbec in the blend with Merlot. Phooey!

Might only be for one vintage though - the Keyneton wine (now renamed 'Euphonium' I think) is the 'Edelzwicker' offering of Henschke's portfolio. Whatever was declassified from the better vineyards, but too good to sell as bulk wine. Very much a vintage-by-vintage proposition.
cheers,
Graeme

[David M. Bueker]

Might only be for one vintage though - the Keyneton wine (now renamed 'Euphonium' I think) is the 'Edelzwicker' offering of Henschke's portfolio. Whatever was declassified from the better vineyards, but too good to sell as bulk wine. Very much a vintage-by-vintage proposition.

Thanks. Useful information.

The next to last Australian wine in my cellar (I really should buy some Semillon)

For a riesling lover, you really have to try some of the Clare bottlings.

[David M. Bueker]

The next to last Australian wine in my cellar (I really should buy some Semillon)

For a riesling lover, you really have to try some of the Clare bottlings.

I have and am unmoved. They're nice, but I find them monochromatic.