2024 Abbotts Prayer

Adelaide Hills

Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon

Deep crimson with garnet hues. Fragrant aromas of redcurrant, mulberry and plum are complemented by notes of violet, crushed flowering herbs, cassis and bergamot. A rich and plush palate reveals satsuma plum, raspberry and blackberry, supported by dried herbs, Dutch cocoa and cedar, carrying through to a long, fine-grained tannin finish.

$110.00
$110.00
Deep crimson with garnet hues. Fragrant aromas of redcurrant, mulberry and plum are complemented by notes of violet, ...

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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. This release is a testament to the extraordinary effort undertaken to rejuvenate the Lenswood Vineyard after the devastating effects of the Cudlee Creek bushfire in December 2019.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Varieties: 95% Merlot 5% Cabernet Sauvignon

Harvest Date: 19 April

Alcohol: 13.3%

Vintage Rating: Excellent vintage

Maturation: Matured in 33% two-year-old French oak hogsheads and 67% seasoned oak hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling.

Cellaring Potential: 25+ years (from vintage)

VINTAGE

Lenswood entered spring under unusually mild conditions, after a typically damp winter with elevated temperatures and persistent morning fog that lasted right through to summer. An exceptionally cool period enveloped the vines during early flowering, reducing bunch sizes significantly. Nevertheless, the canopies developed well despite the persistently damp mornings and the small bunches developed steadily. Autumn brought great conditions for ripening, bearing fruit with exceptional purity and depth of flavour. A wonderful quality year for all Lenswood varieties, albeit in very small 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. This release is a testament to the extraordinary effort undertaken to rejuvenate the Lenswood Vineyard after the devastating effects of the Cudlee Creek bushfire in December 2019.

Varieties: 95% Merlot 5% Cabernet Sauvignon

Harvest Date: 19 April

Alcohol: 13.3%

Vintage Rating: Excellent vintage

Maturation: Matured in 33% two-year-old French oak hogsheads and 67% seasoned oak hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling.

Cellaring Potential: 25+ years (from vintage)

Lenswood entered spring under unusually mild conditions, after a typically damp winter with elevated temperatures and persistent morning fog that lasted right through to summer. An exceptionally cool period enveloped the vines during early flowering, reducing bunch sizes significantly. Nevertheless, the canopies developed well despite the persistently damp mornings and the small bunches developed steadily. Autumn brought great conditions for ripening, bearing fruit with exceptional purity and depth of flavour. A wonderful quality year for all Lenswood varieties, albeit in very small yields.