1999 Abbotts Prayer

Adelaide Hills

Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc

Medium garnet with brick-red hues. Perfumed aromas of violets, cassis, mulberry conserve and crushed dried herbs, with earthy, leathery notes and subtle cedar. The palate is rich, plush and textural with a savoury umami quality, spiced plum and blackcurrant, and long, gently grippy fine-grained tannins. Drinking well with age now. 

$192.00
$192.00
Medium garnet with brick-red hues. Perfumed aromas of violets, cassis, mulberry conserve and crushed dried herbs, wit...

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BACKGROUND

In 1981, fifth-generation winemaker Stephen and his viticulturist wife Prue selected Lenswood in the Adelaide Hills as a new vineyard site, reconnecting the Henschke family with its history in the nearby village of Lobethal, which translates to ‘Valley of Praise’ in German. The Henschke Lenswood property, originally in an area known as Abbotts Flat, was established as an apple orchard in the mid-1800s. The connection to the region dates back to 1842, when ancestor Johann Christian Henschke settled in Lobethal before establishing a farm in the Eden Valley. Abbotts Prayer weaves together the history, religion and farming heritage of Lenswood in the high country of the Adelaide Hills. At 550m, the slopes of the Lenswood Vineyard offer beautiful views, high rainfall and humidity at the right time of the year, cooler temperatures that retain natural acidity and enough sunshine to fully ripen the grapes.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Varieties: 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc

Harvest Date: 23 April – 10 May

Alcohol: 14.5%

Vintage Rating: Great vintage

Maturation: Matured in new and seasoned French oak hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling.

Drinking Window: Drink now

VINTAGE

The latter part of spring led into one of the hottest summers on record, with virtually no rain. The drought conditions resulted in smaller berry size, assisting the concentration of the pinot noir and merlot. Tropical cyclones Elaine and Vance brought unseasonal rains in mid-March. Careful handpicking provided excellent quality fruit with average yields.

TASTING NOTES

In 1981, fifth-generation winemaker Stephen and his viticulturist wife Prue selected Lenswood in the Adelaide Hills as a new vineyard site, reconnecting the Henschke family with its history in the nearby village of Lobethal, which translates to ‘Valley of Praise’ in German. The Henschke Lenswood property, originally in an area known as Abbotts Flat, was established as an apple orchard in the mid-1800s. The connection to the region dates back to 1842, when ancestor Johann Christian Henschke settled in Lobethal before establishing a farm in the Eden Valley. Abbotts Prayer weaves together the history, religion and farming heritage of Lenswood in the high country of the Adelaide Hills. At 550m, the slopes of the Lenswood Vineyard offer beautiful views, high rainfall and humidity at the right time of the year, cooler temperatures that retain natural acidity and enough sunshine to fully ripen the grapes.

Varieties: 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc

Harvest Date: 23 April – 10 May

Alcohol: 14.5%

Vintage Rating: Great vintage

Maturation: Matured in new and seasoned French oak hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling.

Drinking Window: Drink now

The latter part of spring led into one of the hottest summers on record, with virtually no rain. The drought conditions resulted in smaller berry size, assisting the concentration of the pinot noir and merlot. Tropical cyclones Elaine and Vance brought unseasonal rains in mid-March. Careful handpicking provided excellent quality fruit with average yields.