By Jason Kemp
The 2016 vintage Mount Edelstone Shiraz from Henschke will be available throughout May and June at leading restaurants across the state and country.
A pinnacle of Australian shiraz, Henschke Mount Edelstone will now be available by the glass in Adelaide at some of the states leading restaurants, as well as select restaurants around the country throughout May and June 2021.
Mount Edelstone is one of Australia's greatest single vineyard wines – winning acclaim since it was first produced in 1952 by fourth-generation Henschke winemaker Cyril. The 2016 vintage is the 64th release, making this one of Australia's longest consecutively-produced single-vineyard wines.
Winemaker and viticulturist, Stephen and Prue Henschke are the fifth-generation custodians of this remarkable history.
Leading restaurants will offer a glass of Mount Edelstone 2016 during May and June with prices ranging from $50 to $90 depending on the size of the pour.
Restaurants pouring the Henschke shiraz in Adelaide include 2KW, Chianti, Gaucho's Argentinian Restaurant, Samurai Teppanyaki, The Tasting Room at East End Cellars, Sol and Eleven (July only).
Interstate, restaurants offering the Mount Edelstone shiraz include Beppi's, Bistro Moncur, Chophouse, Felix, Mr Wong, Mimi, Fred's, Bennelong and Bibo Wine Bar in Sydney; Flower Drum in Melbourne, SK Steak & Oyster, Calilie and Signature, The Emporium in Brisbane; and Lamont's, Nobu, Steves Bar & Cafe and Rockpool Bar & Grill in Perth.
Dan McEvoy, Head Sommelier at 2KW says wine sold by the glass is still an incredibly popular (and important) category. He believes that the travel restrictions in place due to COVID, has made their patrons more adventurous when selecting a wine by the glass.
"We have been listing iconic wines in our Cellar Selection by the glass and they have been selling fast," says Dan.
"It gives people an opportunity to savour exceptional wines which would otherwise be too expensive and out of reach, says Mathieu Smeysters, Fine Wine Manager at East End Cellars. "We are seeing more people upgrading to a premium pour or a more expensive bottle of wine."
Giovanni Moschen, Sommelier at Chianti, concurs adding: "If you have only one glass of vino, might as well have a good one! Henschke Mount Edelstone is a great choice because it is one of the most iconic wines in Australia – everyone knows the quality that comes with it."
Coravin, a small wine preservation system, allows restaurants to prolong the life of opened bottles of wine for several weeks or more by inserting a fine needle through a cork or specially designed stelvin closure with a silicon seal. Inert argon gas flows in through the needle, which then increases pressure and forces the wine into the needle and out into the wine glass.
Winemaker Stephen Henschke describes Mount Edelstone 2016 as epitomising the incredible aromatic beauty of shiraz from an exceptional season in South Australia's Eden Valley.
"Gnarled centenarian vines, now 109 years old, deliver a deeply coloured, plush, dark-fruited wine, with signature crushed black pepper and sage notes, and a concentrated, complex and vibrant palate with beautifully layered mature tannins," says Stephen.
International wine writer Matthew Jukes says he can't recommend this vintage of Mount Edelstone highly enough, awarding it 19.5/20 points.
"The first sip is tremendous, there is no need to agitate the glass or to decant this wine in order for it to sing. It literally bursts out of the blocks and continues its assault at one speed and that is full speed. Having said this…there is tenderness and elegance here, too…red, black and blue fruit eddy and flow in perfect synchronicity," says Mathew.
Sommelier Suggestions for Food Matches at their Restaurants:
East End Cellars – "Braised shoulder of venison with buttery mash potatoes or the roasted rib eye on the bone which comes with a café de Paris béarnaise."
Chianti – "1kg Fiorentina steak, which is an iconic dish from Tuscany where Chianti is made."
2KW – "Our Butcher's Cut, is often Wagyu Beef which has texture that is matched by the beautiful acid line that Mount Edelstone provides."
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