2014 Keyneton Estate Euphonium

57% Shiraz, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc (53% Eden Valley, 47% Barossa Valley). They added the bordeaux varieties to make it a bit more savoury. Aged in 15% new and 85% used hogsheads (8% of which were American). pH 3.55, acidity 6.32 g/l. The name is a tribute to the township of Keyneton, where the Henschke family have been based since 1858, and the musical heritage of the family (they had a family band, founded in 1888!). Cassis, coffee and a deep night-air perfume on the nose. Dark-red flavours that mesh the spice of pink peppercorns with the sweet silkiness of roasted red pepper and the tang of raspberries. Some sage. Supple, wrap-around tannins. Quite a gentle wine that reminded me, in a way, of Stephen Henschke himself – quiet and gentlemanly yet confident and warm. (TC)

Predominantly Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon (there's some Merlot and Cabernet Franc as well), the 2014 Keyneton Euphonium is leafy and fresh, with raspberry and cassis fruit dusted with dried herbs and spices. It's medium-bodied but ripe and creamy-textured on the palate, showing great balance between intensity and detail, then slowly fading on the long, slightly dusty finish.