Henschke Hill of Grace

Located in the Eden Valley of South Australia, the Henschke family has been crafting wines since 1868. Their ultimate flagship, 'Hill of Grace', is a direct English translation of 'Gnadenberg', the beautiful historic Lutheran church that overlooks the vineyard. The most astonishing fact is that this single vineyard consists of 'pre-phylloxera' Shiraz ancient vines planted in the 1860s. The dense energy exuded by these vines, which have endured for over 150 years, is flawlessly captured in the bottle through biodynamic farming practices. Hailed by global critics as "the most elegant pinnacle of Australian Shiraz" and consistently boasting Vivino ratings of 4.7 to 4.8, this wine captivates the palate not with a heavy punch, but with its "mysterious, ethereal layers." When poured, bright herbal nuances characteristic of Eden Valley—such as sage, star anise, and eucalyptus—rise beautifully above the dense fruit aromas of blackberry and plum. On the palate, shattering the stereotype of rough and heavy Australian Shiraz, its silky, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity from the cool-climate altitude flawlessly fill the mouth. It is a sublime masterpiece that continuously reveals new aromas as time passes.

1. Oven-roasted Lamb Chops with Rosemary: Australian Shiraz and lamb are an eternal classic championed by sommeliers worldwide. The herbal nuances like sage and eucalyptus inherent in Hill of Grace create a perfect 'aromatic mirroring effect' with the fragrant rosemary seasoned on the meat. The wine's dense, silky tannins bind with the rich proteins of the lamb, magically softening the texture and elegantly washing away the heavy meat juices. 2. Venison Steak with Wild Mushrooms or Aged Gouda: The earthy notes and peppery spiciness of the wine elegantly embrace the deep flavors of game meat, showcasing a harmony of terroir. For after the meal, long-aged Gouda cheese is recommended. The crystallized amino acids (proteins) formed in the cheese show a fantastic molecular-level marriage that explosively elevates the wine's rich fruitiness.