Overview
Henschke Johann’s Garden is an old-vine Barossa Valley blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Mataro. Named in tribute to the early German Silesian community of the Barossa, it combines traditional open-top fermentation with low-yielding fruit from selected historic vineyards.
Vineyard
The Grenache and Mataro come from selected Barossa Valley vineyards classified under the Barossa Old Vine Charter, with vines at least 35 years old. The gnarled bush and trellised vines grow across soils ranging from friable clay loam with limestone fragments to deep sandy loam over clay.
Vintage
The 2024 growing season combined timely winter and spring rainfall with strong canopy development and a dry, warm summer. Grenache was harvested during the early Barossa vintage in late February, while cooler late-March conditions allowed the Mataro to ripen gradually into early April. Both varieties delivered exceptional quality.
Winemaking
The Grenache and Mataro were vinified separately using traditional open-top fermentation. The wines matured for 10 months in oak hogsheads, comprising 3% new and 97% seasoned oak, before blending and bottling.
Producer Tasting Notes
“Medium ruby with crimson hues. Perfumed aromas of raspberry, black cherry and fresh plum are interlaced with violet, bergamot, nutmeg, oregano, lavender and hints of liquorice and cedar. The palate is rich and plush with a bright core of redcurrant, pomegranate, rhubarb and dark herbal notes, shaped by lively acidity and supple fine-grained tannins delivering excellent depth and length.”
Critic Reviews
96 Points - Huon Hooke, The Real Review
“The aromas smoky/burnt toast and dark loamy earth, the palate full and concentrated in the mouth with a sheen of drying tannins and luxurious depth of gorgeously sweet, succulent liqueur cherry flavour. Perfect ripeness is evident. Magical wine, utterly delicious. A spectacular grenache-led blend of profound flavour and structure. Excellent now and will age well too.”
96 Points - Ray Jordan, Winepilot
“Perfumed aromas of spice, violet and subtle plum emerge immediately. The palate is seamless, beautifully integrated and thoroughly expressive of both varieties. A gentle tannin contribution provides shape and direction through to the long, satisfying finish. Bright, lively and utterly engaging.”
95 Points - Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal
“Scented-plums, blackberry, touch graphite aromas with herb notes. Well concentrated and beautifully balanced wine with plentiful juicy musky dark plum, blackberry, raspberry fruits, attractive mid-palate richness/buoyancy and fresh minerally/graphite textures. Lovely composition and impact. Fruit driven and spicy with ripe grenache nicely foiled against the torque and frame of mataro.”
93 Points - Winepilot
Tasted April 2026
“Lots of red fruits and berries here, including cherries and wild strawberries, which come together on the bouquet alongside spice and rose scents. There is a black pepperiness in play on the palate (possibly a Mataro contribution) and an overall seamless quality that brings fruit, spice, oak (just 3% new), fine tannins and fresh acidity together and it all flows easily, smoothly.”
Awards
- Gold Medal - Melbourne Royal Show 2025
- Silver Medal - National Wine Show of Australia 2026
Specifications
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Vintage: 2024
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Producer: Henschke
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Range: Johann’s Garden
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Blend: 60% Grenache and 40% Mataro
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Region: Barossa Valley, South Australia
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Country: Australia
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Vine Age: At least 35 years
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Harvest Dates: 29 February and 5 April 2024
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Fermentation: Separate vinification with open-top fermentation
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Maturation: 10 months in oak hogsheads, comprising 3% new and 97% seasoned oak
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Alcohol: 14.5%
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Vintage Rating: Exceptional
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Cellaring: 15+ years from vintage
