2016 Keyneton Estate Euphonium

57% Shiraz, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc picked 26 February to 14 April. Matured in 71% French and 29% American hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling under screwcap. 13% of the oak was new. This wine used to be from the Henschke family estate and even today is based on grapes from Henschke relatives' farms, mostly but not exclusively in the Eden Valley. They started adding Cabernet in the mid to late 1980s. Some of the Shiraz vines are up to 50 years old. Transparent garnet with lots of shading. Very pleasing, evolved nose with no single varietal element dominating. The 2015 was a wine of the week . This is also very winning indeed. Very much in the Henschke style with lift and richness but admirable subtlety. Real refreshment value with a suggestion of Australia's eucalyptus character and a real vibration on the end. Not the most concentrated wine but so what? Hint of oyster shells on the nose. Just a little heat on the end but this is surely going to be the best value of these new releases. (JR)

A blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the 2016 Keyneton Euphonium beautifully marries the mint and herb of the Bordeaux varieties with the plumminess and spice of the Shiraz. Hints of mint, tea and violets accent dark, plummy fruit, then finish with savory overtones of black olive. It's full-bodied and supple, ready to drink now or age 15 or more years.