Slight Label Damage
Overview
A distinguished Barossa red blend from the renowned Henschke family, Keyneton Euphonium combines the richness of Shiraz with the structure and complexity of classic Bordeaux varieties. The 2008 vintage brings together fruit from Eden Valley and Barossa Valley, delivering concentrated dark fruit, savoury complexity and beautifully integrated tannins.
Comprising 75% Shiraz, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc, this richly textured wine reflects the character of the Barossa's diverse vineyard sites and Henschke's longstanding commitment to quality.
Vintage
The 2008 growing season began with a mild, relatively frost-free spring and favourable flowering conditions. A dry, warm early summer produced smaller berries and bunches, while unusually cool conditions during much of January and February encouraged excellent colour and flavour development.
An unprecedented March heatwave brought 15 consecutive days above 35°C, causing considerable vineyard stress. Careful selection and early morning hand harvesting, leaving shrivelled fruit on the vines, helped preserve fruit quality and produced intensely coloured, richly flavoured red wines, particularly Shiraz.
Winemaking
The grapes were harvested between 25 February and 1 April 2008. The wine was matured for 18 months in French and American oak hogsheads, comprising 30% new oak and 70% seasoned oak, before blending and bottling.
Producer Tasting Notes
Colour
Very deep crimson in colour.
Aroma
A complex bouquet of plums, blackberries, mulberries and cassis with savoury nuances of tar and roasted meats.
Palate
The sweet, rich and plush palate has a fleshy texture with layers of flavour of great depth and concentration, beautifully balanced with velvety fine-grained tannins and excellent length.
Henschke — Reviewed July 2010
Critic Reviews
93/100 — Wine & Spirits Magazine
Tasted February 2012
92/100 — Wine Spectator
Tasted December 2011
92/100 — The Wine Front
90/100 — Jeremy Oliver
Tasted January 2009
88/100 — Gismondi on Wine
“Spicy black cherry, blueberry, cranberry, tobacco leaf, smoky, vanilla, coffee, leather and barnyard aromas.”
Tasted December 2011
Producer
Henschke is one of Australia's most celebrated family-owned wineries, with a winemaking heritage dating back to the 19th century. Based in Keyneton in the Eden Valley, the estate is renowned for its exceptional Shiraz and distinctive expressions of the Barossa region.
Keyneton Euphonium celebrates the musical heritage of the Henschke family and the historic Keyneton community. The wine takes its name from a restored 19th-century B-flat euphonium, once played by the Henschke Family Brass Band. The instrument remains part of the family's historical collection, symbolising generations of cultural and winemaking tradition.
Specifications
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Vintage: 2008
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Producer: Henschke
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Country: Australia
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Region: South Australia, Barossa, Eden Valley and Barossa Valley
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Grape Varieties: 75% Shiraz, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc
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Wine Style: Still Red Wine
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Sweetness: Dry
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Alcohol: 14.5%
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Harvest: 25 February – 1 April 2008
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Maturation: 18 months in French and American oak hogsheads
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Oak: 30% new, 70% seasoned
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Harvesting: Selective early morning hand harvesting
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Ownership: Henschke Family
