Henschke Keyneton Estate Euphonium 2014
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Very deep crimson with a red hue. Alluring and spicy aromas of red currant, Satsuma plum, red licorice, and black pepper with herbaceous layers of bramble, sage, and rosemary. Concentrated and elegant flavors of succulent red currant and blueberry fruits are balanced with black pepper and a hint of violet florals, while a clean line of acidity and fine-grained tannins add length and texture.
Blend: 57% Shiraz, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: While the wine world seems overrun with blended red wines that mix different regions from the Old World, a handful of the players are incredibly consistent in their quality from year to year. The 2014 Henschke Keyneton Euphonium is a prime example of blended perfection. TASTING NOTES: This wine delivers liveliness and richness. Its pretty aromas and flavors of bright red fruits and earthy tones keep it sophisticated and real. Pair it with a thick Porterhouse and indulge. (Tasted: September 24, 2019, San Francisco, CA)
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Wine Spectator
There’s a distinctive overtone of black walnut here, adding a note of maturity and complexity to the core of wild strawberry and raspberry flavors, with aromatic details of dried porcino, green tea and spice box. The tannins are taut, firming on the finish and suggesting that time in the cellar will make this even more expressive. Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2035.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Predominantly Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon (there's some Merlot and Cabernet Franc as well), the 2014 Keyneton Euphonium is leafy and fresh, with raspberry and cassis fruit dusted with dried herbs and spices. It's medium-bodied but ripe and creamy-textured on the palate, showing great balance between intensity and detail, then slowly fading on the long, slightly dusty finish.
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James Suckling
This has cooler accents with red and dark berries along with a leafy, herbal and earthy edge. The palate is smooth and plump with plenty of blackberries, dark cherries and blueberries. A ripe finish. A blend of shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Drink or hold.
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Wine Enthusiast
This blend consists mostly of Shiraz and Cabernet with a little Merlot and Cabernet Franc. A potpourri bowl of drying red fruits, herbs, pipe tobacco, licorice and warm earth make up the characters on both the nose and the palate. There's a firm grip of chalky tannins and a raspberry leaf tea finish. Drink now with rare steak and mushrooms, or cellar until 2024.
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Decanter
Upfront, rich style, with juicy bramble jam, coconut and vanilla, countered by strong tomato leaf and bell pepper notes on the silky, textured fruits.
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Wine & Spirits
Named for the B-flat euphonium that was part of the Henschke Family Brass Band in the 19th century (and is still in the family today), this is a blend of shiraz with cabernet sauvignon, franc and merlot. It comes from vineyards in Eden Valley and Barossa, where some of the vines date to the 1960s. It has a high-toned elegance, skinnier than many of its full-bodied cousins in the region, but concentrated and firm. You might find strawberry flowers and scents of grilled sausage, herbs and black peppercorns in this lean red that leaves room for food.
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Henschke is one of Australia’s leading winemakers and grapegrowers. Henschke is recognised for its rich heritage, innovative spirit and commitment to handcrafting exceptional wines for 150 years. The Henschke family’s grapegrowing and winemaking tradition spans six generations, from outstanding sustainable vineyards in Eden Valley, Barossa Valley and the Adelaide Hills. The small-medium wine business has an annual crush of 700 tonne and employs around 50 staff. Prue Henschke manages the 105 hectares of vineyard, spanning from Eden Valley to Lenswood in the Adelaide Hills wine region. Henschke is one of Australia’s leading winemakers and grapegrowers. Henschke is recognised for its rich heritage, innovative spirit and commitment to handcrafting exceptional wines for 150 years. The Henschke family’s grapegrowing and winemaking tradition spans six generations, from outstanding sustainable vineyards in Eden Valley, Barossa Valley and the Adelaide Hills. The small-medium wine business has an annual crush of 700 tonne and employs around 50 staff. Prue Henschke manages the 105 hectares of vineyard, spanning from Eden Valley to Lenswood in the Adelaide Hills wine region. Stephen and Prue continue to craft their white wines with a focus on purity, while their red wines have a strong focus on terroir, using traditional winemaking techniques.
With hundreds of red grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended red wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged resulting in a wide variety of red wine styles. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a red wine blend variety that creates a fruity and full-bodied wine would do well combined with one that is naturally high in acidity and tannins. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
How to Serve Red Wine
A common piece of advice is to serve red wine at “room temperature,” but this suggestion is imprecise. After all, room temperature in January is likely to be quite different than in August, even considering the possible effect of central heating and air conditioning systems. The proper temperature to aim for is 55° F to 60° F for lighter-bodied reds and 60° F to 65° F for fuller-bodied wines.
How Long Does Red Wine Last?
Once opened and re-corked, a bottle stored in a cool, dark environment (like your fridge) will stay fresh and nicely drinkable for a day or two. There are products available that can extend that period by a couple of days. As for unopened bottles, optimal storage means keeping them on their sides in a moderately humid environment at about 57° F. Red wines stored in this manner will stay good – and possibly improve – for anywhere from one year to multiple decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning long-term storage of your reds, seek the advice of a wine professional.
The Barossa Zone encompasses the Barossa Valley and Eden Valley. Some of the oldest vines in Australia can be found here.
Barossa Valley of course is the most important and famous wine growing region in all of Australia where 140+ year-old, dry-farmed Shiraz vines still produce inky, purple and dense juice for some of Australia's best wines.
In the cooler, wetter Eden Valley sub-region, the Hill of Grace vineyard is home to famous Shiraz vines from the 1800s but the region produces also some of Australia’s very best and age-worthy Rieslings.