Henschke Abbotts Prayer Merlot Cabernet 2019

A$110.00

Availability
Out of stock
Volume
750ml
Maker
Henschke
View Maker
Region/Country
Eden Valley, Australia
Rating
95 points

Vintages

2019

Description

30th ANNIVERSARY VINTAGE

Fifth-generation winemaker Stephen Henschke and his wife Prue selected Lenswood in the Adelaide Hills as a new vineyard site in 1981, a serendipitous connection to the Henschke family’s history in the nearby village of Lobethal, translating to ‘Valley of Praise’ in German. At 550m, the slopes of the Lenswood vineyard offer not only beautiful views toward the older vine country, but also higher rainfall and humidity at the right time of year, cooler temperatures to retain natural acidity, and still enough sunshine to fully ripen the grapes. The Abbotts Prayer label links together the history, religion and farming of this mountainous region. The property along Coldstore Road, Lenswood, including historic vineyards in the area, was originally known as Abbotts Flat, and was established in the mid-1800s with the first land purchases by stock-owner Thomas Neilson Mitchell.

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 challenging to grow in the cool Lenswood climate.

Ratings

Score
95 points
Reviewer
Australian Wine Guide
Review

Complex inviting nose consisting of mint, blackcurrants, blueberries and mocha. A touch medicinal. Full bodied and intense palate with maraschino cherries and more mocha and black fruits. Expertly well balance with powdery fine tannins and a long finish. Bordeaux like but from a warmer year.. 30th anniversary of this label.

Score
94 points
Reviewer
Jeni Port
Review

This vintage celebrates 30 years of the Abbotts Prayer Vineyard in Lenswood. A lifted beauty on the bouquet, resplendent in rose petal, violet, cassis, raspberry, bush mint and anise. Firm and focused on the palate, with an undercurrent of undergrowth, earth and graphite

Specifications

Closure
Screw cap
Serving Temp.
14-18 °C
Alcohol
14.5%
Cellar until
Now - 2036
Food pairing
Moran Family Lamb

Tasting Profile

Nose
Deep crimson with garnet hues. Fragrant aromas of cassis, violets, mulberry and red currant with notes 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.

Henschke Abbotts Prayer Merlot Cabernet 2019

Henschke Abbotts Prayer Merlot Cabernet 2019
Bottle
Out of stock

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The Reserve Cellars. ABN 89621364994 Liquor License 196883. The Reserve Cellar supports the responsible service of alcohol. It is against the law to sell or supply alcohol to, or obtain alcohol on behalf of, a person under the age of 18 years. WARNING: Under the Liquor Act 1992, it is an offence to supply liquor to a person under the age of 18 years (Penalty exceeds $6,000). for a person under the age of 18 years to purchase or receive liquor (Penalty exceeds $500).

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