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 recognises 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.
2019 was a mild and dry winter, followed by a dry and windy spring, saw frost events in September and November that disrupted budburst and young shoot growth. A hailstorm in late November impacted the fresh young shoots carrying the crop, with shiraz the most affected. Warmer than average temperatures in January and February, including the hottest summer’s day on record, led to the advancement of maturity and early onset of vintage. Warm weather in late summer maintained low disease pressure and small berry size, providing optimal ripening conditions. Despite miniscule yields, 2019 was a high-quality vintage with beautiful expressions of varietal character, good structure and excellent flavour intensity. The 2019 vintage will be remembered as a challenging season where regenerative viticulture and organic and biodynamic practices were vital to nurturing the health of the Henschke vineyards through an exceptionally warm and dry year.
Cabernet sauvignon grown on the Cyril Henschke Vineyard on the Henschke Eden Valley property, managed with organic and biodynamic practices. Matured in 32% new and 68% seasoned French oak hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling. Dark garnet with ruby hues. Fragrant and perfumed aromas of thyme, marjoram, cassis, blackcurrant, blackberry compote and violets, with hints of cedar, nutmeg, dark chocolate and pepper. A deep and textural palate of fresh redcurrant, plum, bay leaf and dark baking spices, supported by refreshing acidity and fine cocoa-dusted tannins for an endless finish
Nose - Perfumed, Savoury Herbs, Blackberry Compote
Pronounced perfume and superb pure dark fruits, cassis, blackberry compote and violet florals. Supported by savoury thyme, majoram oak spices and pepper.
Palate - Plush, Dark Chocolate, Vibrant Acid
Dark berries flow onto the palate, plus red currant, plum, bay leaf and dark baking spices. Refreshing acidity too.
Finish - Fine, Dusty Tannin, Endless Finish
Fine cocoa dusted tannins with plenty of balance and poise to an endless finish.
As is to be expected, it is a graceful wine with poised cassis tones and hints of flowering herbs, cedar, sage, fine spice, some distant spearmint, bay leaf and black olive. There is a touch of morello cherry as the wine fades with lovely fine-grained savoury tannin grip and a tail of spice and elegant black and red fruits. - Dave Brooks, James Halliday Wine Companion, 97 Points.
Deep-ish red tinged with purple, the bouquet loaded with green-bean/fresh-herb and berry varietal fruit, seamlessly entwined with cedary oak, the fruit evoking mulberry, raspberry and cassis while the palate is elegantly shaped and refined in texture, with fine grained powdery tannins providing a subtle backdrop of structure. A very elegant and complex cabernet of charm and beauty. - Huon Hooke, The Real Review, 96 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Cabernet Sauvignon
Country - Australia
Region - Eden Valley, South Australia
Vintage - 2019
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14%
