Deep purple-crimson, even after five years. It is explosively rich and decadent, with oceans of sumptuous black fruits which have soaked up the new and used French oak, and carry the alcohol with contemptuous ease. The grapes were picked early each morning between March 9 and March 13, after the heatwave had started, but before its conclusion. Each block was separately made and matured, and the final blend is not made until shortly before bottling.  

98 points, Wine Companion, February 2013

Excellent vintage. Very deep, dark red/purple colour. The bouquet an explosion of mocha, vanilla, toasty oak, super-ripe blackberry and violets. The oak is still showing, as much as it ever does in HOG, which isn't much. Very intense, powerful, full-bodied and long. A big wine, but all the components are in great harmony. Quite youthfully firm texture. Needs time and will be a great HoG.

96 points, Real Review, March 2013

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2008 Hill of Grace has a slightly closed nose before giving subtle notes of ripe black cherries, blackberries and violets with hints of cedar, pepper, green tea and cumin. There's a slight raisin character on the full-bodied palate with crisp acid, dense fruit and firm, grainy tannins, finishing long. Drink it from 2017 to 2035+.

96 points, Wine Advocate, April 2013

Dark purple. Spicy and racy and with real energy. Dry finish but lovely five-spice notes. very characteristic of the vineyard. Maybe you could even drink this with food now?

19/20 points, jancisrobinson.com, March 2013

Terrific colour and depth. Nose has almost bottomless depth and richness: very very dark spice and dark plum fruit aromas with baking spices and fragrant exotic Eastern spice notes. Plenty of baking spice here too. The palate has immensely supple and deep, dense tannins; terrific strength and length; and layers of ripe, rich dark plum and cherry fruit flavor. Tannins drive sheet-like through the palate and deliver long and juicy. The oak is beautifully matched, and there's a super creamy graphite-tinged impression with an immense future ahead.

98 points, jamessuckling.com, May 2017

Excellent vintage. A much anticipated wine that has terrific colour and depth, the nose has almost bottomless depth and richness, very very dark spice and dark plum fruit aromas with baking spices and fragrant exotic Eastern spice notes, plenty of baking spice here too, a very composed wine. The palate has immensely supple and deep, dense tannins, terrific strength and length and layers of ripe, rich dark plum and cherry fruit flavour. Tannins drive sheet-like through the palate and deliver long and juicy, the oak is beautifully matched and there's a super creamy graphite-tinged impression with an immense future ahead. Drink in 2030.

98 points, jamessuckling.com, June 2014

According to Stephen Henschke, the 2008 Hill of Grace Shiraz was among the earlier picks that vintage, avoiding the worst of the heatwave that followed. It was never the most elegant or perfumed vintage, but it's rich and creamy, loaded with mocha and blackberry flavors. Full-bodied and intense, it remains rather big and muscular, with a slightly coarse but tremendously long finish. It could go another 20 years in a cool cellar.

96 points, Wine Advocate, September 2018