Henschke, 'Keyneton Euphonium' Barossa Valley, 2022
Henschke, 'Keyneton Euphonium' Barossa Valley, 2022
- 75cl
- 14.5%
- Red Still
- Grenache, Mourvèdre, Shiraz
- Organic
- Biodynamic
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Optimal drinking window: 2026 - 2042
Est. delivery in early summer, 2026
Over 175 years ago Johann Christian Henschke came from Silesia to settle and farm in the Eden Valley region. By the time third-generation Paul Alfred Henschke took over the reins in 1914, the famous Hill of Grace vines were more than 50 years old. They were planted around the 1860s by an ancestor, Nicolaus Stanitzki, in rich alluvial soil in a shallow fertile valley just north-west of the winery.
The Henschke wines are produced using biodynamic and organic methods, to preserve the quality of the vines and soil for the generations to come. 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.
The Keyneton Euphonium sources fruit from both the warmer Barossa Valley floor and the cooler Eden Valley hills. The Eden Valley component comes from granite-based soils at 400-500 metres elevation, providing mineral backbone and natural acidity. The Barossa Valley parcels grow in red clay over limestone, contributing richness and depth. The altitude difference and varied geology allow the Henschkes to craft a wine with both power and elegance.
Barossa Valley is Australia's most famous wine region, established by German settlers in the 1840s. Unlike France's strict appellation rules, Australian regions focus on geographic boundaries rather than prescribed grape varieties or winemaking methods. The Barossa is renowned for old-vine Shiraz but increasingly celebrates Rhône varieties like Grenache and Mourvèdre. The region's warm, dry climate and diverse soils produce wines of considerable concentration and longevity.
The 2022 Barossa tells a tale of two seasons. Winter delivered proper rainfall after years of drought stress, filling dam levels and giving vines the deep drink they desperately needed. Spring started promisingly until La Niña brought weeks of persistent rain that had growers nervously watching for disease pressure and dilution. Then summer turned the script entirely—extended dry conditions with several heat spikes pushed harvest dates later than expected, concentrating flavours but demanding careful canopy management to prevent burning.
What emerged was a vintage of surprising restraint for the Barossa, with Shiraz showing more savoury spice than the usual fruit-forward power, and Grenache displaying lovely perfume without the jammy weight we sometimes see. The reds have structure and freshness that suggests they'll age gracefully, though the best bottles are already drinking beautifully if you fancy them young. Riesling and Semillon from the Eden Valley performed particularly well, capturing bright acidity from those cooler nights. We'd celllar the serious reds until 2026, but honestly, they're rather good company right now.
What the critics say:
"Deeply perfumed and spicy, with aromas of blackcurrants, roasted coffee beans, cedar, blood plums, cured meat and cassis. The palate is seamlessly integrated, with a velvety texture, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity that leads into a supple yet structured finish with lingering flavors of bitter chocolate, mulberries, cigar box and paprika. Made from a blend of 59% shiraz, 33% cabernet sauvignon, 6% cabernet franc and 2% merlot. So much polish and class. Drink or hold. Screw cap."
"The 2022 Keyneton Euphonium is from a cooler, wetter season in Barossa, and the wines released have so far been fantastic. It leads with cocoa and star anise, licorice, black truffle and meat broth. The wine is sourced from long-term growers in both Eden and Barossa Valleys. Texturally, this is silky and fine, and the tannins are supple and yet structuring. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap."
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