James Halliday 95 Points — A Classic Eden Valley Blend from One of Australia's Great Multi-Generational Estates

My Wine Man on Henschke

Henschke is one of Australia's most storied and revered wine families — a fifth-generation estate founded in the Eden Valley in 1868, whose wines are benchmarks not just for South Australia but for the entire country. Best known for Hill of Grace — widely regarded as Australia's greatest single-vineyard Shiraz — Henschke produces a range of wines across the Eden Valley and Barossa that consistently rank among the finest in the nation. Keyneton Euphonium is the estate's signature red blend, named after the village of Keyneton where the Henschke family has farmed for over 150 years. A blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot — 62/24/11/3 — matured for 18 months in seasoned French and American oak hogsheads, it is a wine that captures the elegance, transparency, and precision that defines Henschke at its best.

Tasting Notes

The 2017 Keyneton Euphonium is a wine of remarkable transparency and articulate detail — a cooler Barossa season that allows all four varieties to express themselves with clarity and distinction. Unashamedly medium-bodied, refreshing, and enticing, yet in no way underpowered, simplistic, or short-lived. Crunchy berry fruits, fine-ground tannins, and vibrant acidity unite to marvellous effect, delivering outstanding line and length. It takes real skill, dexterity, and humility in the winery to allow fruit of such elegance to truly sing. A classic Barossa blend with a long future before it. James Halliday 95 Points.

Style & Drinking Window

Medium-bodied with exceptional elegance, precision, and length — a cooler-season expression of the Barossa that prioritises finesse over power. Decant for one hour. Drinking beautifully now with 8 years of bottle age, and will continue to develop and reward through 2030–2036.

Why This Is a Smart Buy

At HK$339, the 2017 Henschke Keyneton Euphonium delivers 95-point Eden Valley Shiraz-Cabernet from one of Australia's most celebrated and historically significant estates — a family that has been farming the same land for over 150 years. This is a wine of genuine elegance and cellaring potential at a price that makes it one of the most compelling value propositions in the store.

Looking for a Different Style?

- 2022 John Duval Entity Shiraz — a pure Barossa Shiraz from the ex-Penfolds Grange winemaker, for those who want single-variety concentration and depth
- 2022 Torbreck The Steading Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre — a Barossa GSM blend of real generosity and character, for those who want a different take on the multi-variety Barossa red
- 2018 UTOPOS Barossa Valley Shiraz — a premium single-variety Barossa Shiraz of real intensity and structure, for those seeking a step up in concentration

Life's too short for bad wine.