The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.
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 1979
The Australia 1979 wine vintage received generally positive reviews from the wine press and critics. It was a year characterized by favorable weather conditions in many regions of Australia, leading to wines that were often praised for their quality and appeal. Here are some general observations that the wine press had about the Australia 1979 vintage:
-
High Quality: The consensus among wine critics was that Australia 1979 was a high-quality vintage. The favorable weather conditions throughout the growing season, including warm and dry periods, contributed to the overall quality of the wines.
-
Fruit Ripeness: One of the standout features of the vintage was the ripe and concentrated fruit flavors in the wines. Many Australia 1979 wines were noted for their luscious and well-developed fruit profiles, with an emphasis on rich, ripe berries and stone fruits.
-
Balanced Structure: Critics often praised the wines for their balanced structure. The Australia 1979 wines typically exhibited good acidity, well-integrated tannins, and harmonious proportions, contributing to their overall appeal.
-
Varietal Expression: Different grape varieties thrived during the vintage. For instance, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay were frequently highlighted for producing outstanding wines that showcased their varietal characteristics.
-
Age-Worthy: While the wines were approachable in their youth, many Australia 1979 wines were noted for their aging potential. The well-structured reds, in particular, were expected to evolve gracefully over time.
-
Notable Producers: Several Australian wineries and producers received accolades for their wines from the 1979 vintage. These wines were often considered benchmarks for the year.
-
Overall Enthusiasm: Critics and the wine press expressed enthusiasm for the vintage, and many wine enthusiasts and collectors sought out Australia 1979 wines for their cellars.
Overall, the Australia 1979 vintage was well-received and continues to be remembered as a successful year in Australian winemaking. It offered a range of wines that appealed to a broad spectrum of wine lovers, from those seeking approachable and fruit-forward options to those looking for age-worthy bottles with depth and complexity.