Angus Hughson

94 $68 A 65% Shiraz to 33% Cabernet Sauvignon blend with just a 2% splash of Cabernet Franc to round out this red blend sourced from both the Barossa Valley (31%) and 69% Eden Valley, matured as separate parcels in French oak hogshead barrels for 17 months, only 10% of those new. It’s got the full Austral blend package, attractive black fruits and bushland aromatics to start, the Cabernet components playing a strong game here with some pretty bold Shiraz working its magic in tandem.

Exotically named yet still true to the Henschke family tree, Appolnia was the first wife of the original pioneer Johann Christian – she and two of their children tragically died on their refugee journey to Adelaide in 1841. Dedicated to her, this 100% Shiraz is an 80% Eden Valley to 20% Barossa Valley combo, crafted with a mix of whole bunch and whole berry fermentation. It smells of dark fruits, old gardens, meat pies, wood-fired kitchens and drying herbs – farm life in a bottle.

Sourced from historical German/Silesian grape growers’ vineyards in both the Light Pass (north-eastern Barossa Valley) and Tappa Pass (northern Eden Valley) districts, there’s a richness and depth of bouquet and flavour here that reflects those older vines and their resilience and elder wisdom.