Keyneton Euphonium references the Barossa hills village of Keyneton, which was home to the Henschke Family Brass Band and winery. The band was founded by second generation Paul Gottard Henschke in 1888. The band was later led by third generation Paul Alfred Henschke, featuring wonderful instruments such as a B flat euphonium, cornet and E flat clarinet. The German euphonium has been restored and remains a Henschke family heirloom.
Keyneton Euphonium is a blend of 65% old vine Shiraz (up to 50 years old), 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and 3% Merlot from selected vineyards across the Barossa and Eden Valleys. This wine was aged for 18 months in French (71%) and American (29%) oak hogsheads, of which 20% was new.
95 points – Dave Brookes, March 2023,WineCompanion.au: 65/23/9/3% shiraz/cabernet sauvignon/cabernet franc/merlot grown in the Barossa and Eden Valleys. Matured in 71/29% French (20% new) and American oak hogsheads for 18 months. Detail is a wonderful thing. If you stick your nose in the glass and close your eyes, perhaps tilt your head just so, you can pick out the individual components of this wine, yet they mesh together perfectly. Juicy berry and plum fruits, abundant spice, fine-grind tannin grip, a fine lacy acid line and an elegant, perfectly poised, slow fade out of pure fruit.
93 points – Tina Gellie, March 2023,Decanter: Sourced from both Eden Valley and Barossa Valley, with the 65% Shiraz including fruit from vines up to 50 years old, providing concentrated, velvetty, black plum and rich black berry aromas and flavours with a generous sprinkling of pepper. This is lifted by the 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and 3% Merlot, which provide rich cassis, ripe blueberry and lifted violet notes. Long, with fine tannins and a lingering orange zest brightness. Great value, especially in this stellar vintage. Keyneton, home of the Henschke winery, was also where the Henschke Family Brass Band was founded in 1888, featuring instruments such as the large euphonium.
92 points – Erin Larkin, March 2023,WineAdvocate: The 2018 Keyneton Euphonium is a blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot and carries a profusion of dusty black tannin and brooding purple fruit. There are notes of meat broth, field mushrooms, fresh leather, blackberry, brown sugar and a molasses character. I know from some of the other Henschke reds that the fruit actually rises above the structure with a decant (or time in the glass), so this is recommended in order to catch the beautiful 2018 fruit on offer here. This is a savoury wine, layered and long.
“2018 was a year of wonder for several reasons. We celebrated 150 years of Henschke family winemaking and 60 years since Cyril captured that first shimmering edition of Hill of Grace.” -Stephen Henschke
The Henschke family has been making wine since Johann Christian Henschke planted his first vineyard in Barossa’s Eden Valley in the early 1860s, with the first commercial release in 1868. These wines were initially produced for family and friends, however, demand grew considerably.
Fourth generation winemaker Cyril Henschke pioneered single varietal and single vineyard wines in the 1950s. His greatest legacy being the creation of Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone, wines made entirely from Shiraz from the Eden Valley that have become an integral part of Australia’s fine wine history. Today, fifth generation winemaker Stephen Henschke and his viticulturalist wife Prue are recognised around the world for their exceptional wines, innovation, and sustainability in the vineyard.
The Henschke family continue to craft their wines with a strong sense of place, according to organic and biodynamic farming paired with traditional red winemaking and meticulous oak ageing. The sixth generation, Johann, Justine and Andreas are all actively involved in the family business and are proud custodians of the Henschke vineyards, mindful of the need to nurture them for future generations.
2018 VINTAGE REPORT
A moderately wet winter combined with average spring conditions meant that vines grew well in the mild weather. Ideal flowering conditions in late spring/early summer led to the potential for near-average yields. Late December became warm and dry, ensuring healthy canopies with low disease pressure. The summer months of January and February were typically warm and dry, characterised by above-average overnight temperatures. The old-vine vineyards coped well with the warm nights, their deep roots able to withstand the warming and drying effect on the topsoil, maturing the balanced crops as autumn approached. March and April provided light and warmth to the Eden Valley which led to full and balanced maturity being achieved across all grape varieties. With warm sunny days and cool nights, the dry autumn guaranteed that pristinely healthy grapes arrived in the fermenters.
The 2018 vintage will be considered a standout of the decade; recognised for complex wines with wonderful richness, depth and balance, an expressive sense of place and fine and mature tannins, with a likeness to exceptional quality vintages such as 1982, 1990, 2002 and 2010, all of which were mild seasons and have shown excellent ageing potential in ideal cellaring conditions.
