The prestigious Australian winery Henschke has remained a family-owned establishment for over 153 years and six generations. Situated in Keyneton, South Australia, within the esteemed Eden Valley wine region, Henschke proudly stands as a distinguished member of Australia's First Families of Wine. Since its inception in 1862, when Johann Christian Henschke planted a modest vineyard in Keyneton, the Henschke family has continuously crafted exceptional wines, forging a legacy of excellence with vineyards in the Eden Valley, Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills, including acclaimed single-vineyards, Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone.
The fifth-generation winemaker Stephen Carl Henschke and his viticulturist wife Prue took over the operation of the winery in 1979 and they are recognised around the world for their exceptional quality wines, innovative spirit, focus on restoring native vegetation, organic and biodynamic practices in the vineyard. Johann Stephen Henschke, the eldest of Stephen and Prue’s three children has become the sixth generation member of the Henschke family since 1983. With the background of higher education in wine making, viticulture and oenology, Johann is now based at the family winery as winemaker and viticulturist while playing an important role of transferring his skill set and knowledge from the fifth to sixth generation. As the next generation prepares to navigate the well-documented challenges that lie ahead, Johann recognizes the indispensability of innovation and meticulous strategic planning. However, amidst these considerations, he firmly believes in upholding the time-honoured winemaking techniques that have been cherished by the Henschke family for generations. By ensuring that the legacy of Henschke is nurtured with the same prudence and care as it has always been, Johann and his peers can pass on a heritage that will endure and command the same esteemed reputation that it enjoys today.
Henschke's commitment to excellence and sustainable wine production has garnered well-deserved recognition and accolades. In 2021, the winery was honoured as the Wine Enthusiast New World Winery of the Year, a testament to their exceptional craftsmanship and dedication to pushing the boundaries of winemaking in the New World. Furthermore, Henschke was also named the Winery of the Year by the prestigious Halliday Wine Companion, solidifying their position as a leader in the industry. Additionally, Henschke's unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmentally conscious practices has been acknowledged with the prestigious Robert Parker Wine Advocate Green Emblem. This recognition highlights their remarkable efforts in reducing environmental impact while producing outstanding wines. Henschke's unwavering pursuit of excellence and dedication to sustainable practices make them a true icon in the world of wine.
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 2018 season was a moderately wet winter combined with average spring conditions meant that the vines grew well in the mild weather. Ideal flowering conditions in late spring/early summer led to the potential for near-average yields. Late December became warm and dry, ensuring healthy canopies with low disease pressure. The summer months of January and February were typically warm and dry, characterised by above-average overnight temperatures. The old-vine vineyards coped well with the warm nights, their deep roots able to withstand the warming and drying effect on the topsoil, maturing the balanced crops as autumn approached March and April provided light and warmth to the Eden Valley which led to full and balanced maturity being achieved across all grape varieties With warm sunny days and cool nights, the dry autumn guaranteed that pristinely healthy grapes arrived in the fermenters. All in all, the 2018 vintage will be considered a standout of the decade, fittingly so in the year we celebrated our 150th anniversary of family winemaking.
The 2018 Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon is the 40th release of this signature wine. A blend of 97% cabernet sauvignon, 2% merlot and 1% cabernet franc grown on the Cyril Henschke Vineyard on the Henschke Eden Valley property, managed with organic and biodynamic practices. Matured in 10% new and 90% seasoned French oak hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling.
Nose - Flowering Herbs, Violets, Forest & Cedar
Lively and fragrant aromas of crushed flowering herbs, violets, briary blackberry, plum, black cherry and cassis, with subtle forest and cedar notes.
Palate - Plush, Dark Chocolate, Vibrant Acid
A rich, supple and complex palate of dark forest berries, dark chocolate, cooking spices and liquorice, interlaced with fresh acidity.
Finish - Drive, Savoury Spice, Graphite Tannins
Finishes long, pleasant savouriness with fine grained tannins.
Rich purple and inky blue fruits soar from the glass: cassis, mulberry, violets and an almost pine forest-like ozone freshness that brings lift and clarity to the sumptuous palate. Beautiful length, elegance and purity, with smooth graphite-like tannins and vibrant acidity. With no 2017 produced, this is worth the wait; a fitting toast to Cyril. - Tina Gellie, Decanter, 97 Points.
The wine is beautifully perfumed…Florals, raspberries, tobacco leaves, cherries, cigar box notes and bay leaves. There is excellent length here, good focus and fine acidity…Aniseed and cherry notes are to the fore on the palate and there are such soft tannins. A gentle sour plum character is sitting right at the end of the very long finish. Drive over the next twenty years. – Ken Garett, Wine Pilot, 97 Points.
Bright blackberry and blackcurrant fruits with top notes of redcurrant and red cherry. Olive tapenade, cedar, light briar notes and mountain herbs. Fine lacy acidity and tight, powdery tannin provide the frame, and there is no doubt that this release will age magnificently. - Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion, 96 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Cabernet Sauvignon 97%, Merlot 2%, Cabernet Franc 1%
Country - Australia
Region - Eden Valley, South Australia
Vintage - 2018
Bottle Size - 1.5L
ABV - 14.5%
