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2008 Henschke Tilly's Vineyard

Varietal: Chardonnay and Champagne / Sparkling

Region: Barossa Valley (Australia), Australia

Winery: Henschke

Availability

Available in Vintages

Background

One of the longest-established names in the Barossa. Johann Christian Henschke purchased land for a farm at Keyneton in 1861, after fleeing religious persecution in Kutschlau, Silesia (Germany). He planted a small vineyard and an orchard, and after initially making wine for family consumption produced his first commercial vintage in 1868, believed to be principally Riesling and Shiraz.

His son, Paul Gotthard, continued farming and winemaking and planted more vines to increase wine production. Upon his father's death in 1914, third-generation Paul Alfred took over the property and as demand for fortified wines grew, winemaking assumed greater significance. Each generation built upon the reputation for quality, but it was fourth-generation Cyril Alfred Henschke who in 1958 created the wine that has most captured the red wine world's imagination - Hill of Grace - His first vintage of this Shiraz was produced in 1958. Today, fifth-generation Stephen Henschke and his wife Prue uphold the family name and reputation, as winemaker and viticulturist respectively.

Winemaking

This attractive fragrant blend is named as a tribute to great-aunt Ottilie Mathilde Henschke. Like the many remarkable women of an era when daily life was a far cry from the ease of today, she grew her own produce and raised a large family.

Tasting Notes

Vibrant pale straw in colour. Sweet floral green grassy/meadow notes with delicate lifted aromas of clover blossom, lemon curd and gooseberry. The sweet fruit palate is well balanced, soft and juicy with good length and a crisp finish.

Maturation

Minimal oak (10%, mostly chardonnay, some semillon) aged on lees for 9 months in new and seasoned 225L French barriques. Remainder kept in tank to preserve fruit characters and blended prior to bottling.