Henschke's Keyneton Euphonium is a beautiful composition of Shiraz from up to 50-year-old vines grown in the Eden and Barossa Valleys. This is blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc from selected vineyards in both regions; some of which were planted by Cyril Henschke back in the 1960's.
The 2016 Henschke Keyneton Euphonium delivers a wonderful rendition of this hugely popular wine. The nose offers intense aromas of ripe, spicy red currant, Satsuma plum, rhubarb, boysenberry and blackberry with lifted hints of cassis, violets, sage, bay leaf, black pepper, baking spices and cedar. The palate has excellent depth and structure with plush, ripe dark fruits and a balanced acid line driving the mid-palate long and finishing with savoury spice and dried herbs in unison with the elegant, fine-grained tannins.
"95 Points. Matured in French and American hogsheads (18% new) for 18 months. The bouquet does indeed bellow from the glass like that a euphonium. It has a swag of red, black and purple fruits all in tune, something very different for drinking now. $60. 14.5% alc. Drink by 2026. Screwcap"- James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au
"The combination of shiraz and cabernet sauvignon is widely seen as the classic Australian blend – one of our great gifts to the world of wine. Henschke have always had a novel take on it with a range of additional varieties in their Euphonium over the years. This example here is from the superb 2016 vintage and includes some merlot and cabernet franc that has created a wine of great complexity. Mulberry, blackberry, leaf and spicy aromas are now joined by some delicious aged cedary complexity. It dry, rounded and fleshy with dark berry and ethereal dried sage and spicy flavours on a long bold finish that is dominated by rustic tannins. It’s impressive but slightly structure heavy so best served with a serious piece of meat. 93 Points" - Angus Hughson, winepilot.com
