2013 Mount Edelstone Shiraz

Full Vinolok-closed bottle just 1,232 g. 100% 101-year-old single-vineyard Shiraz grown on the Henschke Mount Edelstone vineyard managed with organic and biodynamic practices. Harvested 5–9 March. Matured in 34% new and 66% seasoned (81% French, 19% American) oak hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling. Bottle-aged in the Henschke Cellar for museum release. TA 6.1 g/l, pH 3.59. Deep blackish ruby. A certain saline/marine quality on the nose – iodine? Great balance but still seems pretty young with tannins still in evidence. It's easy to see the relation with the 2019. Still with a long life ahead of it. I'd advise considerable aeration before serving. Again, like the 2019, real intensity. Dry finish with an impression of cinders. £30 supplement for six years' ageing in perfect conditions seems quite good value. (JR)

The 2013 Mount Edelstone Vineyard Shiraz hails from a drought year—it was tough. In fact, the 2014 Edelstone was released before the 2013. Yet now, we look at this wine, 11 years from harvest, and the wine is svelte and seamless in its flow of flavor across the palate, with pomegranate molasses, alpine mint, dried herbs, a hint of arnica, rose petals and black cherry. It is chewy, elegant and spiced. It's a lovely wine that has decades to go. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under Vinolok. As it happens, the 2024 vintage is Henschke's 156th vintage. Pretty remarkable.

Sumptuous, generous, beautifully ripe red fruit on the nose – just so alluring and buxom, with serious structure and a long fragrant perfume on the finish. Sheer class, with cellaring potential that is only just beginning. (RH)