1996 Henschke Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon

Notes sourced from Henschke.

This wine is named as a tribute to Cyril Henschke, one of Australia's great winemakers and a pioneer in the production of Australian table wines. After two years of drought the 1996 vintage experienced average winter rainfall, a mild spring with excellent flowering conditions and a cool dry summer. These cool conditions allowed for a long slow ripening period which resulted in wines with excellent concentration and colour.Made from a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc the wine was matured for 21 months in new French oak barrels prior to blending. Deep crimson colour. The nose displays attractive sweet ripe complex fresh blackcurrants and cassis aromas filled out by cedar, violets, herbs and hints of anise, tar and cigar box aromas. The palate is rich, full and velvet smooth with ripe dark berry fruits and fine grained tannins. Excellent complexity and long aftertaste. Cellar 8-10 years. 14% alcohol volume.