When the 2014 Mount Edelstone Shiraz was released we reported: “Henschke has decided to release the 2014 Mount Edelstone Shiraz ahead of the 2013. “The 2013 needs patience,” Stephen Henschke says. “It is a structural beauty, though slower developing. After only three years (the 2014) is perfectly poised for release, already showing the hallmark characters of this vineyard.” That was in January of this year. It’s not quite a year on but it’s not far off.
It’s abundantly clear as to why this was held back. It’s ever-so-sturdy. It’s a centre-half-back of a wine; it’s the spine around which a team can be formed. You still get plenty of fruit (and oak), with blue and black berries rolling through the palate, a sizeable hit of coffee-bean oak, mint/peppercorn notes and florals. There’s a liquorice character but it’s not sweet; it’s almost earthen and dry. You can see this wine maturing – under screwcap especially – for an extremely long time. There’s a gentle waver to the mid-palate as it steels itself for the tannic assault of the finish but it’s of little concern. Unlike the 2014, which could be consumed and enjoyed any time you pleased, this 2013 needs a bit of love and understanding before it’ll be properly ready to shine. Drink 2022-2040.
94+ Points - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front.