Henschke Abbots Prayer Merlot Cabernet 2005 - Adelaide Hills, Australia
Bin No. HENSCHAP05
Price: £37.50
Stephen and Prue Henschke, fifth-generation winemakers at the family cellars at Keyneton, selected Lenswood in 1981 as a new vineyard site, just 50km from their ancient Mount Edelstone and Hill of Grace vineyards.
At 550m, the Lenswood vineyard slopes offer not only beautiful views over the older vine country, but also higher rainfall and humidity at the right time of the 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 2005 Abbots Prayer is Merlot (64%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (36%) grown at Lenswood in the Adelaide Hills. The wine was matured in 60% new and 40% used French hogsheads for 16 months prior to blending and bottling.
Abbots Prayer Merlot Cabernet is very deep crimson in colour. The nose is sweet with spicy aromas of violets, blueberries, cedar and fruit cake. The sweet ripe palate is lush and concentrated with great texture and fruit flavours. Intense and complex the Abbots Prayer has excellent depth and structure, fine-grained tannins and a very long finish.
The quality of the 2005 vintage is sure to be ranked as one of the best on record, after 2002, with all varieties showing strongly.
Whitehaven wines was formed in 1993 by Greg and Sue White, and winemaker, Simon Waghorn. Their aim was to establish a winery in Marlborough producing premium quality varietal wines. To achieve this they have brought together a leading New Zealand winemaker, a dedicated group of growers, and a small modern winery facility where top quality fruit can receive the 'hands-on' treatment that i
