Unusual for its time, the Mount Edelstone Vineyard was solely planted with Shiraz in 1912. From the German ‘Edelstein’ meaning ‘gemstone’ this wine references the small yellow opals once found in the area. The 500 million year old geology in the vineyard has given rise to soils that are deep red-brown clay-loam to clay, resulting in low yields from the dry-grown, ungrafted centenarian vines. Cyril Henschke first bottled Mount Edelstone as a single vineyard wine in 1952. By the time Cyril acquired the vineyard in 1974, Mount Edelstone was already known as one of Australia’s greatest shiraz wines. Produced for over 65 years by the Henschke family, Mount Edelstone is arguably the longest consecutively produced single vineyard wine in Australia. Mount Edelstone 2018 was aged for 20 months in oak hogsheads, of which 27% was new and 73% seasoned (77% French and 23% American).
19+ points - Matthew Jukes, March 2023,MatthewJukes.com: This is a genuinely outstanding Mount Edelstone, with glorious fruit and multi-layered complexity. The nose sings of the Eden Valley with a sage and black fruit cocktail of flavours, and the texture is pure velvet. This is a cracker of a wine and a classic Mount Edelstone to boot, and it is already bafflingly precocious. But don’t worry because behind the exultant volleys of pristine fruit lurks muscle and crunchy tannin that will propel this wine forward for two decades and more. As time ticks on I become more and more enamoured by Mount Edelstone and this is another release that will handsomely reward those who manage to track down stock.
98 points – Dave Brookes, March 2023,WineCompanion.com: I lived on the property that lies between the Mount Edelstone and Hill of Grace vineyards for eight years. My god it's a beautiful part of the world. Planted in 1912 by George Fife Angus and purchased by Cyril Henschke in 1974, though it had been bottled as a single-vineyard wine since 1952. Picture perfect blackberry and blackcurrant fruits, shades of mixed spice, purple floral tones, earth, licorice, rosehip and crushed quartz. A gorgeous expression of site, pure with long, ripe tannins, lacy mineral-laden acidity providing clarity and drive and a finish that sails on for some time before finishing chalky and sustained.
98 points - Tina Gellie, March 2023,Decanter.com: First bottled in 1952 by Stephen Henschke's father Cyril, this reknowned cuvée is likely Australia's longest consecutively produced single-site wine, from a vineyard planted in 1912. A gem of a old-vine wine in every sense (it is named for the yellow opals once found in the area), it is spectacular in this vintage. The mouthfeel is seductive and supple, carrying trademark savoury bay leaf, sage and peppercorn notes that integrate beautifully into ripe, black bramble and blood plum flavours. Structure for long ageing is assured by firm yet velvety tannins and fresh acidity. A gorgeous, opulent, complex wine that, on several tastings over three days, I preferred to Hill of Grace.
17.5 points - Jancis Robinson MW, March 2023,JancisRobinson.com: Lustrous mid crimson. Quite concentrated nose and almost claret-like impression! Quite a charge of grainy tannins on the finish and a vigorous, assertive palate impression. Ripe fruit in an obvious framework and just a little alcoholic warmth and cinnamon on the finish.
96 points - Erin Larkin, April 2023,Wine Advocate: The Mount Edelstone vineyard is in Eden Valley and is 16 hectares. It was planted in 1912 by Ronald Angas, classifying the ungrafted, dry-grown vines here as centenarian vines (according to the Barossa Old Vine Charter) at 106 years old. The soils consist of red-brown clay-loam. The 2018 Mount Edelstone Vineyard Shiraz is 100% Shiraz, matured in a combination of 27% new and 73% seasoned oak hogsheads (77% French, 23% American) for 20 months prior to blending and bottling. This is forever one of my favourite wines at Henschke—it speaks so clearly of my perception of Eden Valley. It is equally rocky/mineral/of the earth, as it is saturated in black and red fruits. The tannins are svelte and seamless. The gentle impact of the American oak is evident in the sweet bed of plump tannin and the slight gloss to the fruit. There is a grace and beauty to the palate, as usual. While Henschke rates this great 2018 vintage as being on par with the 2015 and 2016, they put it slightly behind 2012. You make up your own mind, however I am enamoured by the wines I have tasted from 2018. Super wine.
“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.
