Wine Advisor
Henschke, Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Angus Hughson
The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Cyril Henschke is a savory expression, with black olive, clay and cedar aromas in a notable oak frame. The 2022 is sturdy, young and muscular with gravelly flavours, a touch of dried herbs and chewy tannins. This is a highly ageworthy vintage with brooding, understated power and a long, sustained finish. Cellar this well for best results.
Reviewed by: Erin Larkin
The 2022 Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon leads with spicy red fruit, dusty baking spices and layers of dried herbs, akin to bay leaf and oregano. The tannins here are profuse yet very fine. It feels leafy and earthy, medium-bodied and fresh. I appreciate the varietal definition and delicacy here. The cooler vintage that was 2022 has birthed a tranche of wines of great delicacy and "fluffiness"/freshness. They are wonderful wines—I like the vintage so much. According to Henschke: "This wine was named in tribute to fourth-generation winemaker Cyril Henschke, a passionate pioneer of single-vineyard, single-varietal wines. The Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon was first produced as a single-vineyard wine in 1978, originally from vines planted by Cyril in 1969. Since the early 1990s, the fruit has come from Stephen and Prue's 1988 planting of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc in the same vineyard, and incredible beauty that emerges from the vibrant rows of the north-facing site. This wine is revered for its texture, depth, complexity and fine-grained tannins." This wine was not produced in 2011 and 2017.
About the Producer
Henschkes family name and reputation are now being upheld by the fifth generation, Stephen and his wife Prue. Stephen is the biochemist and winemaker and Prue is the viticulturist. Over the past 14 years, Prue`s viticultural management has breathed new life into the vineyards, which fully capitalise on some of the most remarkable old vine material in the world. Both Stephen and Prue continue to craft their white wines with a focus on purity, while their red wines have a strong focus on terroir, using traditional winemaking techniques. The highly sought-after Hill of Grace is the product of vines planted in the 1860s and is Australia's greatest single vineyard Shiraz. HIil of Grace and Mount Edelstone are arguably the two oldest single vineyard wines produced in Australia that tell the wine story of Australia. Henschke Rieslings are the finest in the Eden Valley and amongst the very best in Australia.
