Henschke Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 1.5L

The Henschke family has been making wine in the Barossa’s Eden Valley wine region since 1868. Today, fifth-generation winemaker Stephen Henschke and his viticulturist wife Prue are recognised around the world for their exceptional quality wines, innovative spirit, focus on restoring native vegetation and organic and biodynamic practices in the vineyard. The Henschke winemaking tradition now spans over 150 years and six generations, with vineyards in the Eden Valley, Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills, including acclaimed single-vineyards, Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone. Henschke was the 2021 Wine Enthusiast New World Winery of the Year, 2021 Halliday Wine Companion Winery of the Year, and has been recognised for outstanding efforts in sustainable wine production with the Robert Parker Wine Advocate Green Emblem.

This wine carries the name of Stephen’s father, Cyril Henschke (1924-1979), as a tribute to one of Australia’s outstanding winemaking pioneers, renowned for old-vine single-vineyard and quality varietal table wines. Cyril planted cabernet sauvignon at the Henschke Eden Valley vineyard in the 1960s. The cabernet sauvignon vines, along with cabernet franc and merlot, are planted on a north facing slope, grown using organic and biodynamic practices. This wine celebrates the incredible beauty that emerges from the vibrant rows of the Eden Valley vineyard, revered for its texture, depth, complexity and fine-grained tannins.

The preceding winter was unusually dry, with frosty nights and clear days. The rain instead came in spring, and the luxuriantly growing vines benefited from the greenhouse effect. The indicators were of a hot dry summer, although only a serious burst of heat was experienced in mid January and again at the end of February; otherwise it was a mild summer, which had a significant delaying effect on the ripening process. An early onset of autumn caused a late harvest, with average yields, good to exceptional quality and intense flavour in the grapes.

Deep crimson in colour. Intense, mature, blackberry fruit, spicy cassis, anise and sweet perfumed aromas of violets complexed by cloves and cedar/cigar box. A well-structured seamless and opulent palate, rich, soft and beautifully balanced finishing long with very finegrained tannins

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal -  Cabernet Sauvignon 70%, Cabernet Franc 15%, Merlot 15%
Country - Australia
Region - Eden Valley, South Australia
Vintage - 1998
Bottle Size - 1.5L
ABV - 14.1%