Rarely seen, but worth chasing, this sometimes gets dubbed Hill of Grace Lite, coming from younger vines from the famous vineyard, but it deserves better. Like any of these wines, a great many wineries would be over the moon if they could release prestige wines of this supreme quality. Magenta in colour, the nose is an array of dark berries, coffee bean notes, tobacco leaf, cloves and dark chocolate aromas which are still very young and coming together. Black olives and hints of roast meats emerge on the palate with sour cherries on the finish. Fine balance, excellent length, good concentration and real potential. After a day open, more red fruits arrived. This will surely impress for the next couple of decades.

96 points, Wine Pilot (March 2022)

This is a bit like the salmon John West rejects that makes John West the best. This comes from the Hill of Grace vineyard, but from vines that are too young – some of these are pretty old – to be considered for Hill of Grace. It gets nearly two years in French oak and is bottled as a separate wine. Super concentrated yet with a lightness of touch and effortless floating palate that pulls itself together to focus through to a long finish. One of the best yet under this label. Mix of sage and rosemary with a lift of chocolate and dark plum. The tannins have a chalky minerality and the oak is deeply integrated yet it places a key role in its contribution to the structure. There is a delightful purity and brightness here.

97 points, Wine Pilot (March 2022)

This has a lot of inherent spice on the nose, such as clove, cassia and star anise, with red plums, blueberries and blackberries, as well as sage and dark-leaf herbs. So complex with a wealth of interest. The palate delivers vivid dark plum, blueberry and blackberry fruit that’s so intense and focused. There’s a very fine, silky and supple texture to the tannins and a velvety layer that is quite mesmerizing. Spices run throughout and, at the finish, blueberries and red plums abound. Long and elegant. From younger plantings in the Hill of Grace Vineyard. Drink over the next two decades.

96 points, JamesSuckling.com (April 2022)

Produced from a portion of Hill of Grace deemed too young for that bottling—these vines were planted in 1989—and matured in 25% new oak, the 2017 Hill of Roses Shiraz features scents of camphor, raspberries and redcurrants, plus hints of sage and cracked pepper. It's full-bodied and supple yet shows tremendous drive and energy on the palate, with a brightness and freshness that sets it apart and really highlights the length of this wine. Wow.

96+ points, Wine Advocate (April 2022)

When the 28-year-old vines mature further, this two-barrel, single-plot rarity from older cuttings is destined for Hill of Grace. From the same site, it has familial flavours of darker berry and currant, tobacco pouch, tea leaf and liquorice, but different energy and flow. Undulating powdery tannins contrast with Hill of Grace’s seamless, spicier tannins from Centenary and Ancestor vines. Summer truffle and smoky black garlic purée notes bring an umami depth of flavour to this polished Shiraz.

93 points, Sarah Ahmed, Decanter (March 2022)

A little bit bluer than Hill of Grace 2017. Fresh and aromatic. Pretty, aromatic nose that really does rather seem to smell of rose petals (power of suggestion?). Then it's much more 'serious' with real depth on the palate. Mouth-filling, richer than The Wheelwright. Long with a distinctly saline undertow and some liquorice notes. Lovely freshness, though probably Mount Edelstone is better value and the price of Hill of Roses reflects its rarity to a certain extent.

17.5 points, JancisRobinson.com (March 2022)

From vines in the Hill of Grace vineyard that are too young for inclusion in the stellar Hill of Grace release. Named as a tribute to Johann Gottlieb Rosenzweig, one of the early Barossa Lutheran pioneers who settled at Parrot Hill in the Eden Valley. Aromas of prime blackberry and dark plum fruits mesh with hints of pressed flowers, red cherry and mulberry high notes, spice, sage, cassis and licorice. Medium bodied, composed and displaying a wonderful sense of grace and calm with detailed red and dark fruits, powdery tannin, impeccable balance and a pitch-perfect savoury flow on the enduring finish.

97 points, Wine Companion (January 2022)