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2015 Abbotts Prayer

RRP:: $105.00

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Region: Adelaide Hills
Description: Deep crimson in colour with purple hues. Enticing aromas of blackcurrant, mulberry, plum skin and lifted notes of cassis and violet with forest-like nuances of blackcurrant leaf and cedar. An intensely fruited palate of blackcurrant, plum and blueberry flavours are complemented by hints of violet, crushed bay leaf, grilled meats and rich cedar notes, while layers of fine-grained tannins and a complex and elegant structure lead to a long and succulent finish.

It is a super-elegant, medium-bodied style with cassis the cornerstone, well-trained tannins doing the job as expected, the finish fine.

James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion 2019, August 2018

Product Information

Vintage

2015

Grape varieties

57% Cabernet Sauvignon
43% Merlot

Technical Details

Alcohol: 14.5%
pH: 3.56
Acidity: 6.6g/L
Bottle Size: 750mL

Harvest Date

31 March - 14 April

Maturation

Matured in 30% new and 70% seasoned French hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling.

Background

Fifth-generation winemaker Stephen Henschke and his wife Prue selected Lenswood in 1981 as a new vineyard site, just 50km from the ancient Mount Edelstone and Hill of Grace vineyards in the Eden Valley. At 550m, the Lenswood vineyard slopes offer not only beautiful views toward the old vine country but also higher rainfall and humidity at the right time of year, cooler temperatures to retain natural acidity, and still enough sunshine to fully ripen the grapes. The Abbotts Prayer label links together the history, religion and pioneers of this mountainous region. The property along Coldstore Road, including the vineyards in the area originally known as Abbotts Flat, was established in the late 1800s and pioneered by the first settler, T N Mitchell.

Serving Temperature

17°C

Cellaring potential

Exceptional vintage, 25+ years (from vintage)

Download tasting notes

2015 2013 2012 2010 2009 2008 2007 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Vintage Description

A traditionally wet winter, mild spring and excellent fruit set provided a great start to the 2015 vintage after four vintages with below average yields. Spring was dry and led into a very mild, dry summer with no disease, resulting in fruit with higher natural acidity, and incredible flavour and colour concentration. A dry, warm and windy start to January,
however, resulted in one of the worst bushfires in the Adelaide Hills in living memory, though well away from our Adelaide Hills vineyards. By the end of the first week, relief came with 60-75mm of rain and a record-breaking coolest January in 11 years. With the
onset of veraison at the end of January, the rain was perfectly timed for the old dry-grown vineyards, and the mild weather that followed from February through to April provided for
a fairytale vintage.

Recommended Food Pairing

WHOLE ROASTED RIB OF BEEF WITH N’DOLE

Reviews

Max Allen Australian Financial Review
August, 24 2018

"If you’re a fan, as I am, of classically elegant cabernet merlot blends that age gracefully in the cellar for decades, you’ll love this. Disarmingly intense aromas of violets and blackcurrant; wonderfully poised and sinewy and grippy in the mouth."

James Halliday Halliday Wine Companion
August, 2 2018

“Henschke was one of the early movers with this blend in the Adelaide Hills, and learned quickly. It is a super-elegant, medium-bodied style with cassis the cornerstone, well-trained tannins doing the job as expected, the finish fine.”

95

Ray Jordan Top Shelf Wine
August, 1 2018

This is only the third vintage to be cabernet dominant. Opens with a spices and dried herbs character within the complex bouquet. Chalky tannins cut through the cherry, raspberry and plummy palate influences. Grainy texture with a gravelly feel.."

95