Henschke Abbotts Prayer Merlot Cabernet Blend
Lenswood
Price Range at Release: $100-$199
Vintage: 2018
Alc %: 14.5
$ Rel: 105
Elegant, supple and measured, this smooth and savoury right bank blend steadily reveals more structure and unfolds layers of flavour. Bright aromas of mulberries, dark cherries, cassis and dark plums are backed by dusty, cedary oak and a herbal note. Supported by a fine chalky spine, its polished core of dark, plummy fruit knits with cigarboxy oak and moves towards a lingering, umami-like finish of tobacco leaf and mineral.
Last Date Tasted: 17/04/2021
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Cellar
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Drink Now
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Maybe Too Old
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Vintage
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Score/100
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Score/20
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Year To Drink
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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2018
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92 | 17.9 | 2030-2038+  | |
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2016
|
95 | 18.8 | 2028-2036+ | |
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2015
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95 | 18.7 | 2027-2035+ | |
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2012
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88 | 16.6 | 2020-2024  | |
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2010
|
94 | 18.4 | 2022-2030+ | |
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2009
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88 | 16.5 | 2017-2021  | |
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2008
|
92 | 17.7 | 2016-2020+ | |
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2007
|
93 | 18.0 | 2015-2019+ | |
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2005
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89 | 16.9 | 2010-2013+ | |
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2004
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90 | 17.3 | 2012-2016 | |
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2003
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88 | 16.6 | 2008-2011+ | |
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2002
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86 | 15.8 | 2004-2007+ | |
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2001
|
90 | 17.2 | 2009-2013 | |
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2000
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85 | 15.6 | 2002-2005 | |
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1999
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92 | 17.7 | 2011-2019 | |
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1998
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82 | 15.0 | 2000-2003 | |
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1997
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87 | 16.2 | 2005-2009 | |
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1996
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94 | 18.3 | 2004-2008+ | |
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1995
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94 | 18.5 | 2003-2007 | |
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1994
|
95 | 18.7 | 2006-2014 | |
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1993
|
94 | 18.5 | 2005-2013 | |
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1992
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92 | 17.7 | 2000-2004 | |
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1991
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93 | 18.0 | 2003-2011 | |
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1990
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96 | 19.0 | 2002-2010 | |
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1989
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89 | 16.9 | 1994-1997 |
Winery
Henschke
One of Australia’s most prestigious labels and one of this country’s true international brands, Henschke has evolved hugely over the last 30+ years. Instead of almost exclusively being based in the Eden Valley, it has steadily increased its sourcing from adjacent locales including the Barossa floor and the Adelaide Hills. Alongside this movement into new sites, the number of wines made at Henschke each year has increased something close to tenfold over that time. It’s no longer a tiny producer of scarce labels like Hill of Grace, Mount Edelstone, Keyneton and the Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon. As the prices of its highly reputed labels have steadily increased (Hill of Grace would appear to be shadowing the price of Penfolds Grange) this has created space into which a multitude of new labels has been inserted, from an ever-increasing range of varieties.
The company’s most famous wine, the Hill of Grace Shiraz, justifies its unique positioning with excellent recent vintages in 2018, 2015 and 2012 (especially), while 2013 and 2010 are also first-class. The relatively recent adjacent plantings of Hill of Roses Shiraz (around $450 per bottle) have lacked conviction aside from the 2013 and 2015 vintages.
Back in my days as a student I seem to recall the Mount Edelstone Shiraz sometimes being sold for a higher price than Hill of Grace. The 2018 vintage of this wine is in the top three I have tasted since the 1972 vintage. It’s the usually the label by which I judge a Henschke vintage.
Chief Executive(s):
Stephen Henschke
Winemaker:
Stephen Henschke, Johann Henschke
Viticulturist:
Prue Henschke
White Wines
Archer's Vineyard Chardonnay >Coralinga Sauvignon Blanc >Cranes Chardonnay >Croft Chardonnay >Eleanora's Cottage Semillon Sauvignon Blanc Blend >Green's Hill Riesling >Hill of Peace Semillon >Innes Vineyard Pinot Gris >James Vineyard Pinot Gris >Joseph Hill Gewurztraminer >Julius Riesling >Louis Semillon >Noble Gewurztraminer >Peggy's Hill Riesling >Percival's Mill Gruner Veltliner >Sauvignon Blanc Semillon >Tilly's Vineyard White Blend >
Red Wines
Abbotts Prayer Merlot Cabernet Blend >Apple Tree Bench Shiraz Cabernet Blend >Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon >Five Shillings Shiraz Mataro >Giles Pinot Noir >Henry's Seven Shiraz Grenache Blend >Hill of Grace Shiraz >Hill of Roses Shiraz >Johann's Garden Grenache Blend >Keyneton Euphonium Shiraz Blend >Marble Angel Cabernet Sauvignon >Mount Edelstone Shiraz >Stone Jar Tempranillo (Formerly Tempranillo Blend) >Tappa Pass Shiraz >The Alan Pinot Noir >The Bootmaker Mataro >The Rose Grower Nebbiolo >The Wheelwright Shiraz >
Sparkling
Address:
1428 Keyneton Road , Keyneton , South Australia 5353 Australia
Cellar Door Open Hours:
6 days, Mon - Fri 9am - 4.30pm, Sat 9am - 12pm, Public Holidays 10am - 3pm, Closed Sundays, Christmas Day, New Years Day & Good Friday
Principal Wine Region:
Eden Valley,Barossa Valley,Adelaide Hills
Telephone:
(08) 8564 8223
Facsimile:
(08) 8564 8294
Website:
Email:
