Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Grape Variety

75% cabernet sauvignon, 17% merlot and 8% cabernet franc grown in the Henschke Eden Valley estate vineyard.

Technical Details

Harvest Date: 18 April
Alcohol: 14% | pH: 3.57 | Acidity: 6.6 g/L |

Maturation

Matured in 85% new and 15% seasoned French hogsheads for 21 months prior to blending and bottling.

Background

The cabernet sauvignon label carries the name Cyril Henschke (1924-1979) as a tribute to one of Australia’s outstanding winemaking pioneers, renowned for the production of varietal table wines, with the accent on quality and flavour. Cyril Henschke planted cabernet sauvignon at Eden Valley in the 1960s.

Vintage Description

The 2007 vintage shaped up to be another high quality year but with significantly reduced yields in Eden Valley. The highly publicised drought of 2006 was reported as the worst ever. Certainly the rainfall at Eden Valley for the three months of winter at only 90mm compared to the average of 200mm was one of our driest. Despite an early winter break, rainfall during winter and spring was the worst for years in the lead-up to flowering. There was significant spring frost damage in Eden Valley, with a yield loss of 20-25%, compounded by the drought and lack of subsoil moisture with overall losses of up to 50%.

Brief heat waves occurred during January; otherwise it was mild and dry. At the end of January a tropical air mass connected with a cold front to bring good rains to the agricultural areas of South Australia, with flooding up north. The 70mm rainfall fell steadily over four days, coinciding with veraison, which freshened up the vine canopy to assist with ripening the fruit for harvest. February was recorded as the hottest for 100 years, which brought the already reduced crop to an earlier ripening phase.

Wine Description

Deep magenta in colour. Sweet vanilla and cedar aromas mesh beautifully with the bouquet of blueberries, violets and cassis. The palate presents tight, well-integrated fine-grained tannins balanced perfectly with lush, dark berry fruit flavours.

Cellaring Potential

Great vintage, drink now to 2022

Serving Idea