Henschke Cranes Chardonnay
Eden Valley
Price Range at Release: $30-$49
Vintage: 2012
Alc %: 12.5
Long and fresh, with an ability to age and a delicate, floral and lightly spicy bouquet of peach, nectarine, pear and apple backed by restrained dusty vanilla oak and a hint of cashew. Smooth and creamy, with a nutty, spicy presence of peach, apple and pear-like fruit, creamy, buttery oak and a bright acidity, it finishes fresh and racy, with a lingering core of smooth flavour.
Last Date Tasted: 7/05/2013
Vintage
Score/100
Score/20
Year To Drink
2012
9117.6

2017-2020

2010
9017.1

2015-2018+

2009
9217.7

2011-2014+

2008
8716.0

2010-2013

2007
8716.0

2009-2012

2006
8816.5

2008-2009

2002
8716.0

2004-2007

2000
8215.0

2002-2005

1999
8215.0

2000-2001

1998
9217.9

2003-2006

1997
9017.0

2002-2005

1996
9318.2

2001-2004

1995
9017.3

1997-2000

1994
9318.2

1999-2002

1993
9117.5

1995-1998

1992
9217.7

1997-2000

1991
9418.5

1996-1999

1990
9518.7

1998-2002

1989
8215.0

1991-1994

1988
9318.0

1993-1996

1987
9017.0

1999-2004

1986
9017.0

1991-1994

1984
8415.3

1989-1992

Winery

Henschke
One of Australia’s most prestigious labels and one of this country’s true international brands, Henschke has evolved hugely over the last 30+ years. Instead of almost exclusively being based in the Eden Valley, it has steadily increased its sourcing from adjacent locales including the Barossa floor and the Adelaide Hills. Alongside this movement into new sites, the number of wines made at Henschke each year has increased something close to tenfold over that time. It’s no longer a tiny producer of scarce labels like Hill of Grace, Mount Edelstone, Keyneton and the Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon. As the prices of its highly reputed labels have steadily increased (Hill of Grace would appear to be shadowing the price of Penfolds Grange) this has created space into which a multitude of new labels has been inserted, from an ever-increasing range of varieties. The company’s most famous wine, the Hill of Grace Shiraz, justifies its unique positioning with excellent recent vintages in 2018, 2015 and 2012 (especially), while 2013 and 2010 are also first-class. The relatively recent adjacent plantings of Hill of Roses Shiraz (around $450 per bottle) have lacked conviction aside from the 2013 and 2015 vintages. Back in my days as a student I seem to recall the Mount Edelstone Shiraz sometimes being sold for a higher price than Hill of Grace. The 2018 vintage of this wine is in the top three I have tasted since the 1972 vintage. It’s the usually the label by which I judge a Henschke vintage.
Chief Executive(s):
Stephen Henschke
Winemaker:
Stephen Henschke, Johann Henschke
Viticulturist:
Prue Henschke
Address:
1428 Keyneton Road , Keyneton , South Australia 5353 Australia
Cellar Door Open Hours:
6 days, Mon - Fri 9am - 4.30pm, Sat 9am - 12pm, Public Holidays 10am - 3pm, Closed Sundays, Christmas Day, New Years Day & Good Friday
Principal Wine Region:
Eden Valley,Barossa Valley,Adelaide Hills
Telephone:
(08) 8564 8223
Facsimile:
(08) 8564 8294
Website:
Email:
Cart