2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Cyril Henschke
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2021 Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon hails from a block planted in the 1960s and the 1980s. The vineyard is planted east-west, with vertical shoot positioned trellising, and the straw mulch underneath the vines assists in bringing out the most expression possible. Fermentation involves very gentle cap management to withdraw gentle tannins from the wine. It matured for 18 months in French oak. The nose leads with violets and crushed rocks, dried herbs and ancient, dusty earth. With 1% Merlot, this is essentially a Cabernet Sauvignon wine. The wine takes me to the ancient gums and rocky outcrops of the Eden valley, a place I am incredibly fond of. This is the loveliest Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon I can recall—sleek and evocative. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Full screwcapped bottle just 1,281 g. First produced in 1978 from vines planted by Cyril Henschke, a pioneer of single-vineyard, single-varietal wines, in 1969. Since the early 1990s the fruit has come from Stephen and Prue Henschke's planting of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc on the same north-facing site. Very bright, glowing pillar-box red fading to quite a pale rim. Sweet and rich with classic cassis notes on the nose and then with a dry finish in the manner of bordeaux varieties! The voluptuousness of the Shirazes is a rather hard act to follow. This really needs time, though is much sweeter, more winning and more approachable than most 2021 red bordeaux! It's still reticent, even when retasted 24 hours after opening. (JR)
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Cyril Henschke is an exquisite and refined Eden Valley style. It's energetic and youthful as it delivers a core of subtle dried mint and pine needle aromas, with pristine leafy red currants providing strong support. There is a claret-like tension thanks to firm acidity and chalky tannins, which are superbly balanced. A herbal phenolic twist adds bite to the finish. The 2021 is a serious Cabernet that needs time to shine.