It is hard to find a more compelling red than Henschke’s 1998 Shiraz Hill of Grace. Made from 100% Shiraz (from vines averaging 52-144 years of age), and aged in primarily new American and French oak for 18 months, it is unquestionably profound. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by a gorgeous perfume of blackberries, graphite, and subtle wood. Dense and full-bodied yet extraordinarily well-defined and layered, it remains young and backward, with tremendous potential. It is the finest Hill of Grace I have ever passed over my palate and down the gullet. (Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #148, August 2003, 97 Pts)
Deep garnet-brick in color, the 1998 Hill of Grace has a medicinal nose of iodine plus warm plums, prunes, licorice and espresso. A bit hard in the mouth, it has crisp acid, medium to firm, chewy and somewhat astringent tannins through the long finish. Mature now, it should keep through 2020+. (Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate#206, April 2013, 90 Pts)
Bright red-ruby. Explosive if idiosyncratic aromas of tobacco, pepper, black olive, mocha and hot stones. Pungent and penetrating, with compelling flavors of raspberry, tobacco, black olive, dried rose, mocha, herbs and spices, plus a strong underlying minerality (I was variously reminded of Lafite, Haut-Brion and Ausone!). Suave and perfumed in the mouth; wonderfully ripe but dry. Finishes with noble tannins and great palate-staining length and grip. This wine is not for everyone-and a good thing, too, since it's extremely limited-but it certainly flipped my switch. (Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, August 2004, 96 Pts)
Hill of Grace has a smell that reminds me of my grandmother’s handbag--cloth, with a wooden handle,-- says Stephen Henschke. Strange but understandable. I thought it smelled like an odd but nice mix of green olive, eucalyptus and eggroll wrapper. It’s a beautiful wine, with a base of red plums on the palate, dusted with mulling spices. Finishes with a flourish of clay and chalk. (Wine Enthusiast, February 2004, 94 Pts)
A rambunctious wine, brimming with personality. Round and earthy, with a distinct barnyard note that cuts through the rich black cherry, blackberry and leathery, leafy, almost rustic flavors that persist on the finish... (Wine Spectator, September 2003, 93 Pts)
