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Wine Description
The Story
Nicolaus Stanitski, a Henschke ancestor, originally planted the Hill of Grace vineyard during the 1860s above the Barossa Valley. During the 1950s Cyril Henschke took his family concern back to wine and established the Hill of Grace label in 1956. The Shiraz vines – many now over 140 years old – are among the world's oldest genetic Shiraz plant material. It is remarkable that the vineyard remained intact considering the economic uncertainty and the social conditions of the time. The vineyard is planted on red clay soils overlain by sandy and silty loams interspersed with gravels.
There are several blocks including Grandfather’s Post Office Blocks One and Two, Young which is made up of the younger selected material located near the vines of the old post office, and the Church Block, House Block and Windmill Block. Vintage takes place during mid to late April, each parcel vinified separately to maximise blending options. The Hill of Grace style has developed along Grange lines, but by a circuitous route. Vinification takes place in open headed down fermenters with regular pumping over. Towards dryness the wine is drained and pressed. Partial barrel fermentation in a combination of new American and French oak follows to integrate oak and create complexity. The wine is then allowed to mature in the same oak for a period of about 18 months before bottling and further maturation.
HILL OF GRACE
Location: Eden Valley wine region, 4 km north-west of Henschke Cellars at Keyneton, in the Barossa Range, South Australia.
Varieties: Shiraz (on own roots). Vines originate from pre-phylloxera material brought from Europe by the early European settlers. Riesling and Semillon.
Wines Produced: Shiraz – individual vineyard bottling since 1958.
Age: Oldest vines planted in 1860s.
Average Yield: 5 tonnes/hectare (2 tonnes/acre)
Soil: Alluvial, sandy loam over clay.
Trellis: 2 wire vertical/single wire at 70 centimetres.
Planting: Wide planting – 3.1 metres x 3.7 metres. Most are planted east-west, some north-south. Dry grown.
Treatments: Tilled and dodged for many years without herbicide. Only copper and sulphur used for foliage sprays. Now mulched and grassed down. Fungus problems are minimal. Vineyard can be considered 'organic'.
Maintenance Quality: Mass selection carried out over two growing seasons. Establishment of a mother source block.
Rainfall: 520 mm
Altitude: 400 metres
Year Vintage Quality Optimum Drinking
1984 Exceptional 20+ years
1985 Exceptional 15+ years
1986 Exceptional 20+ years
1987 Very Good 15+ years
1988 Exceptional 15+ years
1989 Great 15+ years
1990 Exceptional 20+ years
1991 Excellent 20+ years
1992 Excellent 20+ years
1993 Great 15+ years
1994 Exceptional 20+ years
1995 Excellent 20+ years
1996 Exceptional 25+ years
1997 Very Good 15+ years
1998 Exceptional 20+ years
1999 Excellent 20+ years
2000 Not Produced
2001 Excellent 20+ years
2002 Exceptional 25+ years
2003 Great 15+ years
2004 Excellent 20+ years
2005 Exceptional 20+ years
2006 Exceptional 20+ years
2007 Great 20+ years
Vintage 1984
The Australia 1984 wine vintage received mixed reviews from the wine press and critics. It was a year marked by variable weather conditions and challenges, leading to wines of varying quality across different regions and grape varieties. H
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Variable Quality: The prevailing theme in reviews of the Australia 1984 vintage was the highly variable quality of the wines. Different regions experienced different weather patterns and challenges, resulting in a wide range of wine styles and quality levels.
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Challenging Weather: The vintage was characterized by a range of weather conditions, including rain during the growing season in some areas, which posed challenges to grape ripening and overall wine quality.
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Fruit Ripeness: Many critics noted that achieving optimal fruit ripeness was a challenge in 1984. This resulted in wines that were often lighter in body and lower in alcohol compared to some other vintages.
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Tannin Levels: Tannin levels in the red wines were variable, with some wines exhibiting firm tannins that might benefit from additional aging, while others had softer tannins that made them approachable early on.
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Vibrant Whites: Some white wines, particularly those made from varieties like Chardonnay and Semillon, were praised for their vibrancy and freshness. These wines often showcased bright citrus and fruit flavors.
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Regional Differences: The success of the vintage varied by region. Some areas, particularly cooler-climate regions, were better suited to the conditions and produced more balanced and expressive wines.
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Notable Producers: Some Australian wineries and producers were able to excel in the challenging vintage conditions and received positive reviews for their 1984 wines.
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Overall Assessment: The general consensus was that Australia 1984 was not a uniformly strong vintage, and it did not reach the heights of some other Australian vintages. However, there were still enjoyable wines to be found, especially among those produced by experienced winemakers and in regions that were better suited to the conditions.
In summary, the Australia 1984 vintage was a mixed vintage, with varying degrees of success depending on the region and producer. While it may not be considered one of Australia's standout years, it offered some wines that provided enjoyable drinking experiences, particularly for those who favored lighter styles and sought out wines from regions that fared better in the vintage.