Hentley Farm 2004 Shiraz, Barossa Valley
Set on the red-brown soils of the western Barossa Valley, Hentley Farm founders Keith and Alison Hentschke acquired the 150 acre vineyard and mixed farming property in the 1990s. Following extensive research to find out where the best red wine grapes in the Barossa Valley were being produced, their studies led them towards the rich red soils of the Seppeltsfield are. Keith used an old soil map from the 1950s to strategically locate the best parcels of land and after a number of years acquired Hentley Farm, with mostly Terra Rosa soils over limestone. With a focus on perfecting the vineyards, the first wines weren’t released from the property until 2002. The estate was extended with the purchase of the neighboring high quality Clos Otto block in 2004. Hentley Farm's top-top cuvee Clos Otto is now selling at over HK$3000 per bottle. Hentley Farm is 2015 Winery of the Year by acclaimed wine writer James Halliday.
2004 Hentley Farm Shiraz is Barossa Shiraz, made from smaller and intense berries and in a traditional method. We all like this shiraz, because of the elegance and power. It goes on and on. never heady and is always very elegant on finish. It is from a good vintage and is classed as rare museum series. Hentley Farm, along with the best of the bests like Majella, Henschke, Turkey Flat, has been selected by Debra Meiburg MW in her Debra Meiburg MW, which is to be hosted on 25 October 2016 in Wanchai, Hong Kong.
Two important international comments are as follows:
ROBERT PARKER | 92 Revealing a cooler climate style, the 2004 Shiraz reveals abundant richness, but more nuances as well as a more streamlined character, which Europhiles will find more palatable than the bigger-than-life 2003. The 2004 should drink well young, yet age nicely for 10-12 years.
JAMES HALLIDAY | 93 Medium to full red-purple; medium-bodied, and quite elegant, with gently savoury/earthy edges to the spicy/black fruits.
