Ranked #1 of 47 2002 Shiraz from Eden Valley
97/100
5 Stars
Huon Hooke
Deep, dense red colour with a trace of purple. The bouquet is astonishingly powerful, and evokes wild herbs, pepper, mint, eucalyptus, spices and tomato ketchup. The palate is tremendously intense and powerful, but has mellowed so that the tannins are smooth and supple, still giving a solid backbone but superbly upright and well structured, the persistent aftertaste lasting a very long time. The bouquet shows more oak impact than the '05 or '10 tasted with it.
Tasted: 13/04/2015
Drink: 2015 to 2032
97 Points James Halliday
Holding its hue well; fragrant black fruits with touches of licorice and spice run through the bouquet, with oak in the background. The medium-bodied palate is feline and focused; very long, finishing with exceptionally fine-grained tannins. Harmonious and elegant, there is no intrusion whatsoever from the alcohol; effortless power. While retail prices always have a degree of elasticity, this wine has overtaken the price of the '02 Penfolds Grange, released at the same time. Drink to 2035.
Source: James Halliday. April, 2007
"One of Australia’s legendary icons is Henschke’s Shiraz Hill of Grace. The 2002 is 100% Shiraz aged 18 months in 100% new French and American oak. It boasts an inky/blue/purple color as well as extraordinary uplifted aromatics of acacia flowers, ground pepper, espresso roast, blackberries, cassis, chocolate, and smoke. This stacked and packed, full-bodied Shiraz possesses formidable concentration, moderately high but silky tannin, and a finish that exceeds one minute. A modern day legend, it should easily evolve for 20-25 years."
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate # 167 Oct 2006