2023 Henschke Johann's Garden Grenache Mataro, Barossa Valley

The 2023 Johann's Garden hails from a cool, wet vintage, and the wine is elegant and cool both aromatically and in the mouth. I love how many of the red wines express from South Australia in this vintage. It was surely challenging, but in the end, good viticulture will always win, as it did here. This is an excellent wine, with a long future ahead of it. Drink 2025-2045.

95 points Erin Larkin for The Wine Advocate, September 2025

This year's Johann's Garden release sees a blend of 60/40% grenache/mataro from the Barossa Valley, matured in seasoned oak for seven months. Ripe wild strawberry, red cherry and raspberry fruit tones are underlined by hints of five-spice, ginger cake, mocha, violets, charcuterie, cold tea and earth. Quite spacious and detailed in '23 with a ginger-spice flick to the red and dark fruits. Finishes savoury and persistent. Drink 2025-2037.

94 points Dave Brookes for Halliday Wine Companion, March 2025

Deep-ish red with a tint of purple; the nose is black-peppery and sooty, charcoal and dark plum aromas. Full bodied and softly textured with a fruit-sweet core, ample smooth tannins, and medium persistence. Easy drinking but has the backbone to handle heartier foods. (60% grenache, 40% mataro, no shiraz this year). Drink 2026–2038.

92 points Huon Hooke for The Real Review, June 2025

The 2023 Grenache Mataro Johann's Garden is quite intriguing, with compact yet well-layered aromas of dark cherry, licorice allsorts spice and meaty tones. While subtle, there’s great balance here and the al dente tannins and fruit length ensure this will drink well for a little while. Drink 2026-2030.

92 points Angus Hughson for Vinous, August 2025

60% grenache, 40% mataro (aka mourvedre, monastrell). No shiraz was used in this blend in 2023.

Crimson with garnet hues. Bright, lifed aromas of red currant, rosehip and raspberry develop into concentrated baked plum pudding with notes of anise, nutmeg, mace and a hint of white pepper. The soft, luscious palate is complemented by complex flavours of spiced berry compote, raspberry and red licorice that fill the mouth. An elegant style with fine, velvety tannins and balanced acidity.