Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz

Barossa Valley, Australia

Australia's most reverently regarded single-vineyard wine — produced from a single block of Shiraz vines planted in the 1860s next to Gnadenberg Lutheran church in the Eden Valley, South Australia. The vines are pre-phylloxera and ungrafted — 150+ years old, producing tiny yields of extraordinary concentration. Stephen and Prue Henschke (biodynamic management) produce approximately 1,500-2,000 cases per year. Hill of Grace in great vintages (1990, 1998, 2008, 2010, 2012) is among the most complex wines on Earth.

Pairing intelligence

• main: Hill of Grace's single-vineyard Eden Valley prestige belongs with the finest Australian beef; both are national icons
• main: Hill of Grace Shiraz's depth and warmth suits a whole-roasted pork; crackling provides textural contrast to the silky wine
• main: Hill of Grace's extraordinary density requires equally weighty food. Barossa lamb's regional provenance creates a place-based bridge — Eden Valley Shiraz with Barossa lamb is a portrait of South Australia.
• cheese: The Hill of Grace's sophistication pairs with Tasmania's finest aged clothbound; both represent Australian artisan pinnacle
• main: The iron-mineral character of aged beef meets the dark chocolate-iron intensity of ancient vine Shiraz. Both have depth achieved through extended time — aged beef and century-old vine Shiraz.
• cheese: Violet and blueberry contrast the pungent blue cheese; iron-ore tannin cleaves through the fat; eucalyptus provides a botanical bridge between wine and cheese character.
• main: Hill of Grace belongs with Australia's most noble native game; Davidson plum's tartness bridges the Shiraz fruit
• main: Violet and blueberry in wine mirror the loganberry jus; iron-ore resonates with venison's game mineral character; eucalyptus adds a distinctive aromatic bridge.