This pours medium ruby in the glass with little if any bricking. The nose is just lovely traditional stuff. Aromas are of cigar, menthol, fire pit, green tobacco leaf, dried blueberry, fresh blackberry, and rose petals. The palate is also very appealing showing a gorgeous blueberry mid-palate, turning to firm gravel and tobacco leaf. Tannin remaining is firm, medium, with medium plus acid and a finish that is moderate in length featuring black currant. All in all this wine totally shocked me. Absolutely stunning and a very old world inspired profile. Gorgeous stuff.
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The 1998 Henschke Keyneton Estate is a beautiful wine that's beginning to show some signs of bottle age, with a medium garnet color in the glass. The aroma is full of blackcurrants, plums, and subtle spices and earthy undertones, all of which offer a tantalizing preview of what's to come. On the palate, the wine is smooth and wide, with delicious flavors of plums and cherries that linger long on the finish. The tannins are soft and delicate, adding structure without overpowering the fruit. Overall, this is a wine that delivers plenty of satisfaction and joy, even without taking a sip. Highly recommended, and I only wish I had more in my cellar!
Won tqo btls on auction for peanuts. One with sepage. We opened the injured btl tonight, and it was awesome! Spearmint Oz Shiraz with a full deep dive immersion into Oz red soil. Taste is excellent, receeding tannins, lively acids and interest to last a whole dinner with happiness and longing for the next btl.
Final btl in 2 or 4 years from now.
Better than the Euphonium btls we enjoyed some years back.
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Pristine, waxy firm cork. Dark colour, hardly any bricking. Dill on nose and finish. Lovely, smooth still-youthful dark and red fruit, cassis, hint of cedar. Loonnng, well-resolved finish. Bravo
A deep wine of ripe red fruit and complex cinnamon, pepper notes. Grew in the glass as we drunk. Long and savoury. This is new world, yes there's sweetness but a balance of acidity too. This is Henschke's entry wine at 20 years, WOW.
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Really impressive. Hits the sweet spot for both Francophiles and Napa wine lovers. Echo oldvinedevine notes. So good. Incredible balance, shockingly fresh.
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I really enjoy pulling the cork on this wine, it has been consistently delicious throughout its life and has now reached a soft gentle stage where the fruit is still the main feature but the structure has melted away. Given it's position in he Henschke hierarchy it is a huge testament to the wine makeing skill and ambition of the estate. A complete gentle glass of wine.
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Seems this bottle was at near peak compared with previous 3 that I purchased at same time late 2002 in Auckland,NZ. With each progressive opening over last 15 yrs this wine has blossomed with more fruit and balance and less rustic tannins. Last night, undecanted and opened after 30 hrs standing upright, the nose was immediately complex with red/purple fruits, cedar, tobacco ,leather. Color was deep purple/garnet with no hint of brick. Cork was firm and in excellent condition with only 1-2 mm of color on inner surface.Taste/texture evolved over 1.5 hrs of dinner from full velvety complexity to progressively thinner and more woody/tannic with less fruit by the time dessert arrived after rack of lamb w/mascarpone polenta and braised spinach . Ample fruit and wood imply there's still life in this lot but we are glad we think we lucked out at near peak after loosing track of this last bottle in our cellar. Truly magnificent with the Argentine lamb.
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Lovely nose - concentrated dark fruit, blueberries, spices, leather, smoke. On the palate fresh and vibrant with great concentration, lots of acidity, gentle tannins. Spicy finish. Very good length. Might not get better with further aging, and very good right now, but no rush. 91-93
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SYD OFFLINE Vivino Meet-Up - Feb 2016: My joint third favourite of 11 wines on the night. And an amazing 95+/100 (4.3/5.0) from me. So good to try this 1998 having recently tried a very young 2012. I said the 2012 was a keeper for another decade. And so it proved.
There was an intense and hedonistic nose of rich dark cherries. The palate led with those rich cherries, together with tobacco smoke and a smooth lick of white pepper. Totally belying its years. What a wine.
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If you come across any '98s that have been cellared well, pick them up! Classy wine, incredible value. The nose on this is Keyneton is one of the best I've had. In the mouth it is a delicately balanced profile of cola, cinnamon and clove. Tertiary is king. This is exactly where you want it to be at this age. And will hold a few more years yet.
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what can I say. For an entry level wine this is sensational. I always loved keyneton estate and this in no doubt confirms it. Lovely ruby colour. Perfumes of mint, cinnamon overplayed with that aged notes of earth and dark stewed fruits. More of the same on the palate with well integrated tannins and a silliness that feels the mouth. Was quite closed at the beginning especially on the plate but then all of the above just started coming through. Long finish.
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On the nose it smelled like Burgundy. Cat pea and all. Over the course of dinner it really opened up and gained considerable complexity. At first I hadn't read the label and didn't realize it was a blend instead of all Syrah. I kept thinking, they've added cab to this, to give it more tannic structure than Syrah has. All in all an excellent and food friendly bottle of wine that is ready to drink.
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Remarkable wine. Excellent ruby with no real discernible lightening at the rim after 13 years. Very pretty nose with red fruit, eucalyptus and mint-reminds me of an old-time Heitz Marths's. Silken entry but plenty of fruit and body. Good stuff. 4-13-16-8: 91/100.
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Youthful ruby colour. Rich, loamy, cinnamon, kirsch, cassis nose & finish with well integrated tannins and lingering minerally finish. Very youthful & lively. It got sweeter as it opened up. Many years ahead of it.
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Slightly minty on the nose. Deeply fruity entry of black plum. Very fruity, lush & soft with a red plum & red currant theme running through the suave finish. Very nicely done.
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colour still a vigorous red , cool minty ripe fruit on nose, plenty of interest, very balanced on palate, ripe but not at all over the top, lovely warm elegant finish. Top aus wine and best bottle yet.
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Big & rich. Scents of black fruit with a hint of cool menthol. Sweet, in that Aussie way, but not a bit overripe. A real beauty that is drinking well now.
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The next to last Australian wine in my cellar (I really should buy some Semillon), this is really in a style I like. There's austere red fruit on the nose, but broader fruit on the palate. Restrained, elegant, dark cherry flavors with a hint of cedar closet provide a mouthfilling but in no way over-the-top experience. You might be able to fool me into thinking this come from a ripe vintage in France if I am in a weak moment. A hint of blueberry liqueur on the nose betrays a little of its origins, but the overall package is so deliciously integrated that the ripe note does not in any way detract.
Wonderful, understated wine.
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Definately sweet sour black fruit. Don't know if this wine will soften. Maybe the malbec is giving it too much of a bite. The chocolate hints are very bitter sweet. Expected more from a 1998. The color is light. Don't think the wine will get any better.
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Wineflock - Henschke 'Master Class' tasting (Home): Group #3, My #2 - Full red color. Lovely ripe round briar red fruit aroma. Nice sweet sour black fruit with chocolate notes and a long finish. Great balance.
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This is drinking well right now, but still has some tannin to soften and would probably be better in a few years. The Malbec gives a nice bite. Much better than I had anticipated.
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(Alana's) Interesting and tasty enough, but not my style. Mocha nose with dark fruits and hint of anise. Big and rich, more roast fruits, plums. Clean finish with more of the same notes. Certainly not over-the-top or bad, but not my style. Did well enough with steak-heirloom tomatoes and blue cheese.
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(Group #1, My #1) Deep crimson red. Blackberry aroma with jammy something? Ripe somewhat jammy and acidic red fruit with hints of mint and a tight finish. Not over the top jammy aussie at all. Drinking perfectly but will last for years. 3/05
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Medium/deep ruby core, narrow/medium light ruby rim. Medium intense developed nose with blackcurrant and hints of leather. On the palate good acidity and firm, not yet resolved tannins. Moderate depth on the palate with blackcurrant fruit, some leather and mocha notes on a moderate finish, with some alcoholic burn. Had been keeping this and looking forward to it for a while, so was a bit disappointed - lacked a little depth, balance and complexity for me.
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Wow, this really hits the spot after a day that ended with the worst commute I have ever had, more than two hours to drive a route that can take 20 minutes.
This wine is blend of 65% Shiraz, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Malbec. Light in color with a see through rim. On the nose this is classic Henschke, slightly funky with roasted plum notes that are lifted by very strong elements of iodine and mint. On the palate this enters the mouth deliciously sweet and pure with no rough edges and cool menthol and some dark element on the palate. This is surprisingly resolved for a young wine with supple tannins and enough acidity to keep this from being flabby. The finish is creamy with powerful mint, almost to the point of creme de menthe, quite long, slightly drying.
Henschke has such a distinct flavor profile. When I wandered down to the cellar this nose is exactly what I was craving, gorgeous!
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8/27/2023 - Wine Canuck wrote: 93 Points
This pours medium ruby in the glass with little if any bricking. The nose is just lovely traditional stuff. Aromas are of cigar, menthol, fire pit, green tobacco leaf, dried blueberry, fresh blackberry, and rose petals. The palate is also very appealing showing a gorgeous blueberry mid-palate, turning to firm gravel and tobacco leaf. Tannin remaining is firm, medium, with medium plus acid and a finish that is moderate in length featuring black currant. All in all this wine totally shocked me. Absolutely stunning and a very old world inspired profile. Gorgeous stuff.
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3/4/2023 - gparker777 Likes this wine: 93 Points
The 1998 Henschke Keyneton Estate is a beautiful wine that's beginning to show some signs of bottle age, with a medium garnet color in the glass. The aroma is full of blackcurrants, plums, and subtle spices and earthy undertones, all of which offer a tantalizing preview of what's to come. On the palate, the wine is smooth and wide, with delicious flavors of plums and cherries that linger long on the finish. The tannins are soft and delicate, adding structure without overpowering the fruit. Overall, this is a wine that delivers plenty of satisfaction and joy, even without taking a sip. Highly recommended, and I only wish I had more in my cellar!
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1/20/2022 - rossi.wine wrote: 90 Points
Expressive nose - blackberry, eucalyptus, tobacco, spices. On the palate soft and a little flabby, good length. Drink up. 89-91
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12/19/2021 - StefanAkiko Likes this wine: 93 Points
Won tqo btls on auction for peanuts. One with sepage. We opened the injured btl tonight, and it was awesome!
Spearmint Oz Shiraz with a full deep dive immersion into Oz red soil. Taste is excellent, receeding tannins, lively acids and interest to last a whole dinner with happiness and longing for the next btl.
Final btl in 2 or 4 years from now.
Better than the Euphonium btls we enjoyed some years back.
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4/26/2020 - SadEdjo Likes this wine: 92 Points
Pristine, waxy firm cork. Dark colour, hardly any bricking. Dill on nose and finish. Lovely, smooth still-youthful dark and red fruit, cassis, hint of cedar. Loonnng, well-resolved finish. Bravo
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4/30/2018 - moany rhoney wrote: 94 Points
A deep wine of ripe red fruit and complex cinnamon, pepper notes. Grew in the glass as we drunk. Long and savoury. This is new world, yes there's sweetness but a balance of acidity too. This is Henschke's entry wine at 20 years, WOW.
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2/25/2018 - europat55 wrote: 93 Points
A gorgeous example of Cab/Shiraz/Malbec blend.
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10/19/2017 - champ12oh Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really impressive. Hits the sweet spot for both Francophiles and Napa wine lovers. Echo oldvinedevine notes. So good. Incredible balance, shockingly fresh.
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6/4/2017 - Chimer Likes this wine: 91 Points
I really enjoy pulling the cork on this wine, it has been consistently delicious throughout its life and has now reached a soft gentle stage where the fruit is still the main feature but the structure has melted away. Given it's position in he Henschke hierarchy it is a huge testament to the wine makeing skill and ambition of the estate. A complete gentle glass of wine.
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2/13/2017 - oldvinedevine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Seems this bottle was at near peak compared with previous 3 that I purchased at same time late 2002 in Auckland,NZ. With each progressive opening over last 15 yrs this wine has blossomed with more fruit and balance and less rustic tannins. Last night, undecanted and opened after 30 hrs standing upright, the nose was immediately complex with red/purple fruits, cedar, tobacco ,leather. Color was deep purple/garnet with no hint of brick. Cork was firm and in excellent condition with only 1-2 mm of color on inner surface.Taste/texture evolved over 1.5 hrs of dinner from full velvety complexity to progressively thinner and more woody/tannic with less fruit by the time dessert arrived after rack of lamb w/mascarpone polenta and braised spinach . Ample fruit and wood imply there's still life in this lot but we are glad we think we lucked out at near peak after loosing track of this last bottle in our cellar. Truly magnificent with the Argentine lamb.
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4/11/2016 - rossi.wine wrote: 92 Points
Lovely nose - concentrated dark fruit, blueberries, spices, leather, smoke. On the palate fresh and vibrant with great concentration, lots of acidity, gentle tannins. Spicy finish. Very good length. Might not get better with further aging, and very good right now, but no rush. 91-93
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3/27/2016 - Jimmy_D wrote: 94 Points
An improvement on previous bottle/tasting note. Great
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2/27/2016 - Wozza Likes this wine: 95 Points
SYD OFFLINE Vivino Meet-Up - Feb 2016: My joint third favourite of 11 wines on the night. And an amazing 95+/100 (4.3/5.0) from me. So good to try this 1998 having recently tried a very young 2012. I said the 2012 was a keeper for another decade. And so it proved.
There was an intense and hedonistic nose of rich dark cherries. The palate led with those rich cherries, together with tobacco smoke and a smooth lick of white pepper. Totally belying its years. What a wine.
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11/19/2015 - Jimmy_D wrote: 93 Points
If you come across any '98s that have been cellared well, pick them up! Classy wine, incredible value. The nose on this is Keyneton is one of the best I've had. In the mouth it is a delicately balanced profile of cola, cinnamon and clove. Tertiary is king. This is exactly where you want it to be at this age. And will hold a few more years yet.
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12/25/2014 - Bernard Shen Likes this wine: 94 Points
Solid performer from a great winery!
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11/22/2014 - dowyong wrote: 94 Points
what can I say. For an entry level wine this is sensational. I always loved keyneton estate and this in no doubt confirms it. Lovely ruby colour. Perfumes of mint, cinnamon overplayed with that aged notes of earth and dark stewed fruits. More of the same on the palate with well integrated tannins and a silliness that feels the mouth. Was quite closed at the beginning especially on the plate but then all of the above just started coming through. Long finish.
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11/20/2014 - kiwivino wrote: 85 Points
Past it's best, with more Bret coming through as it ages.
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8/31/2013 - Ardross wrote: flawed
Corked
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12/10/2011 - Barnaby33 wrote:
On the nose it smelled like Burgundy. Cat pea and all. Over the course of dinner it really opened up and gained considerable complexity. At first I hadn't read the label and didn't realize it was a blend instead of all Syrah. I kept thinking, they've added cab to this, to give it more tannic structure than Syrah has. All in all an excellent and food friendly bottle of wine that is ready to drink.
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11/23/2011 - MicklethePickle wrote: 91 Points
Remarkable wine. Excellent ruby with no real discernible lightening at the rim after 13 years. Very pretty nose with red fruit, eucalyptus and mint-reminds me of an old-time Heitz Marths's. Silken entry but plenty of fruit and body. Good stuff. 4-13-16-8: 91/100.
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4/3/2011 - SadEdjo wrote: 91 Points
Youthful ruby colour. Rich, loamy, cinnamon, kirsch, cassis nose & finish with well integrated tannins and lingering minerally finish. Very youthful & lively. It got sweeter as it opened up. Many years ahead of it.
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2/8/2011 - ed-d wrote: 96 Points
Slightly minty on the nose. Deeply fruity entry of black plum. Very fruity, lush & soft with a red plum & red currant theme running through the suave finish. Very nicely done.
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12/30/2010 - Ardross wrote: 85 Points
Perhaps going over the top .
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10/4/2008 - redders wrote: 91 Points
colour still a vigorous red , cool minty ripe fruit on nose, plenty of interest, very balanced on palate, ripe but not at all over the top, lovely warm elegant finish. Top aus wine and best bottle yet.
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9/9/2008 - ed-d wrote: 92 Points
Big & rich. Scents of black fruit with a hint of cool menthol. Sweet, in that Aussie way, but not a bit overripe. A real beauty that is drinking well now.
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3/9/2008 - redders wrote: 89 Points
mature colour, minty spicy nose but balanced with fruit, warm mature on the paalte spict fruit harmonious , delicious. Perfectly mature. lovelydrink.
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7/25/2007 - rmodak wrote: 90 Points
Dark mature plums, cassis and a bit of raisin. Chalky tannins. Offers a good balance of complexity and pleasure.
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4/19/2007 - Rieslingfan wrote:
The next to last Australian wine in my cellar (I really should buy some Semillon), this is really in a style I like. There's austere red fruit on the nose, but broader fruit on the palate. Restrained, elegant, dark cherry flavors with a hint of cedar closet provide a mouthfilling but in no way over-the-top experience. You might be able to fool me into thinking this come from a ripe vintage in France if I am in a weak moment. A hint of blueberry liqueur on the nose betrays a little of its origins, but the overall package is so deliciously integrated that the ripe note does not in any way detract.
Wonderful, understated wine.
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4/13/2007 - lanatolman wrote: 88 Points
Definately sweet sour black fruit. Don't know if this wine will soften. Maybe the malbec is giving it too much of a bite. The chocolate hints are very bitter sweet. Expected more from a 1998. The color is light. Don't think the wine will get any better.
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1/7/2007 - pea wrote: 89 Points
Dark both in color and in aromas. Dark berries, chocolate. Decent balance. Nice, but somehow I had expected more.
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11/2/2006 - winefool wrote: 93 Points
Wineflock - Henschke 'Master Class' tasting (Home): Group #3, My #2 - Full red color. Lovely ripe round briar red fruit aroma. Nice sweet sour black fruit with chocolate notes and a long finish. Great balance.
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7/31/2006 - DaveF wrote:
This is drinking well right now, but still has some tannin to soften and would probably be better in a few years. The Malbec gives a nice bite. Much better than I had anticipated.
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7/22/2006 - tradewines wrote: 92 Points
Black currant, boysenberry, pepper and clove. Silky, beautifully balanced wine. Drinking well now, but with plenty of life ahead.
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7/28/2005 - AndrewSGHall wrote:
(Alana's) Interesting and tasty enough, but not my style. Mocha nose with dark fruits and hint of anise. Big and rich, more roast fruits, plums. Clean finish with more of the same notes. Certainly not over-the-top or bad, but not my style. Did well enough with steak-heirloom tomatoes and blue cheese.
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3/1/2005 - winefool wrote: 93 Points
(Group #1, My #1) Deep crimson red. Blackberry aroma with jammy something? Ripe somewhat jammy and acidic red fruit with hints of mint and a tight finish. Not over the top jammy aussie at all. Drinking perfectly but will last for years. 3/05
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2/12/2005 - Paul D wrote: 78 Points
Medium/deep ruby core, narrow/medium light ruby rim. Medium intense developed nose with blackcurrant and hints of leather. On the palate good acidity and firm, not yet resolved tannins. Moderate depth on the palate with blackcurrant fruit, some leather and mocha notes on a moderate finish, with some alcoholic burn. Had been keeping this and looking forward to it for a while, so was a bit disappointed - lacked a little depth, balance and complexity for me.
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6/30/2004 - dcohen wrote:
The Keyneton is a friendly wine. Had with Lamb it is ready for drinking but should hold or improve over the next three years.
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12/4/2003 - Eric wrote: 92 Points
Wow, this really hits the spot after a day that ended with the worst commute I have ever had, more than two hours to drive a route that can take 20 minutes.
This wine is blend of 65% Shiraz, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Malbec. Light in color with a see through rim. On the nose this is classic Henschke, slightly funky with roasted plum notes that are lifted by very strong elements of iodine and mint. On the palate this enters the mouth deliciously sweet and pure with no rough edges and cool menthol and some dark element on the palate. This is surprisingly resolved for a young wine with supple tannins and enough acidity to keep this from being flabby. The finish is creamy with powerful mint, almost to the point of creme de menthe, quite long, slightly drying.
Henschke has such a distinct flavor profile. When I wandered down to the cellar this nose is exactly what I was craving, gorgeous!
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