Personalised Henschke Abbotts Prayer Merlot Cabernet 2019 14.5% 750ML

$151.00 $159.00

Personalised Henschke Abbotts Prayer Merlot Cabernet 2019 14.5% 750ML

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.

APPEARANCE

Deep crimson with garnet hues.

AROMA

Fragrant aromas of cassis, violets, mulberry and red currant with ntoes of anise, cigar box and crushed herbs.

PALATE

A complex and textural palate, with layers of dark briar berries and spice over tamarillo and cedar, excellent balance and depth, and long, fine-grained, elegant tannins.

GRAPES/BLEND

58% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon grown on the Henschke Lenswood Vineyard in the Adelaide Hills, managed using organic and biodynamic practices.

PH : 3.6

ACID (G/L): 5.7 g/L

MATURATION

Matured in 21% new and 79% seasoned French hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling.

VINTAGE NOTES

Vintage 2019 provided generally good growing conditions for the Adelaide Hills, with three notable events: the coldest September on record, the wettest November since 2005 and a mini heat wave on the cusp of January/February that the Adelaide Hills rode out extremely well due to good canopy cover. A rapid progression in berry maturation was kick-started by the Harvest Moon falling right on the spring Equinox, with all varieties ripening at the same time. Hand-harvesting was done in three weeks, bookended by the early sparkling and late red varieties. Yields were down by 20-50% due to 'hen and chicken' (berries of different sizes) from the cold, wet period during flowering, however quality was exceedingly good in both white and red varieties as a result of better ripening conditions. The standout varieties were the later ripening ones, in particular Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, showing beautiful expression of varietal character and above average yields for two varieties that can be fairly challening to grow in the cool Lenswood climate.