Sunday, November 15, 2009

HENSCHKE KEYNETON ESTATE EUPHONIUM 2006

(Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc/Merlot)
 - Eden Valley/Barossa Valley, SA
 - $30-$53
 - Screwcap
 - 14.5%alc

Henschke is a historically significant, family owned producer with an enviable reputation and a very loyal following. For my tastes their most consistent recent performers have been the Louis Semillon, Julius Riesling, Mount Edelstone Shiraz and the Keyneton Estate Euphonium.

The 2006 Keyneton Estate opens to glorious scents of pepper, cassis, plums and spicy cedar/vanilla oak with a controlled whiff of eucalyptus. Smooth and plush on entry, a fine extract of grainy, grippy tannins coat its medium-full bodied dark plum, blackberry, cedar and herb flavours, finishing with intensifying leafy/dusty tones cleverly imparted by its cabernet franc component. Its approachable, quite frankly delicious palate contains the complementary balance of varietals which has blessed all recent Euphoniums.

üThis is what I call a clever Aussie blend; it eloquently displays shiraz flavour, cabernet sauvignon structure, merlot plushness and cabernet franc lasting impression. It's narrowly the best Keyneton Estate since 2002 (95pts). Drink to 2021.
93 points


5 comments:

  1. 07 just been released chris - 33.60 in dan murphys

    jc

    ReplyDelete
  2. Better than the 04?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks JC

    Interestingly enough, on my Henschke mailing list order form they're selling the 07 Keyneton for $39.90 by the half dozen. As my left hand price point (and you) suggest, it does get much cheaper than that for a single bottle.

    Cheers,
    Chris P

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  4. And yes, I think this is JUST better than the '04. I know several people who fell in love with that wine but it just never reached total greatness for me (unlike the '02). The '06 seems a touch more refined and spicy, and I'm a big fan of its cabernet franc influence (which the '04 didn't have from memory)

    Chris P

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  5. hi guys, this price is for Austrlia only? In SG this is selling at about SGD158 which is way to expensive. could anyone let me know where i can buy it cheap in Singpore? or cani buy online frm Australia with freight charges included? thanks!! gula1202@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete