Details
The 2007 vintage shaped up to be another high quality year but with significantly reduced yields in Eden Valley. The highly publicised drought of 2006 was reported as the worst ever. Certainly the rainfall at Eden Valley for the three months of winter at only 90mm compared to the average of 200mm was one of our driest. Despite an early winter break, rainfall during winter and spring was the worst for years in the lead-up to flowering. There was significant spring frost damage in Eden Valley, with a yield loss of 20-25%, compounded by the drought and lack of subsoil moisture with overall losses of up to 50%.
Brief heat waves occurred during January; otherwise it was mild and dry. At the end of January a tropical air mass connected with a cold front to bring good rains to the agricultural areas of South Australia, with flooding up north. The 70mm rainfall fell steadily over four days, coinciding with veraison, which freshened up the vine canopy to assist with ripening the fruit for harvest. February was recorded as the hottest for 100 years, which brought the already reduced crop to an earlier ripening phase.
In the Bottle
| Vintage | 2007 |
|---|---|
| Grape Variety | 75% cabernet sauvignon, 17% merlot and 8% cabernet franc grown in the Henschke Eden Valley estate vineyard. |
| Technical Details | Harvest Date: 18 April Alcohol: 14% | pH: 3.57 | Acidity: 6.6 g/L | |
| Maturation | Matured in 85% new and 15% seasoned French hogsheads for 21 months prior to blending and bottling. |
| Background | The cabernet sauvignon label carries the name Cyril Henschke (1924-1979) as a tribute to one of Australia’s outstanding winemaking pioneers, renowned for the production of varietal table wines, with the accent on quality and flavour. Cyril Henschke planted cabernet sauvignon at Eden Valley in the 1960s. |
| Cellaring Potential | Great vintage, 15+ years. |
Vintage 2007. 19 June 2010, Ray Jordan, West Australian
Has an almost medicinal aroma with good varietal cabernet character mingling with some nice smoky oak. A juicy ripeness with fine elegance is a feature. Has some merlot and cabernet franc components which add a new dimension to the wine. Meaty firm tannins with plenty of fruit weight. 92/100.
Cellar: 15 years ($130). Perfect with scotch fillet.
Vintage 2005. December 2008/January 2009, Nick Ryan, Gourmet Traveller Wine
Shiraz gets most of the attention when it comes to Eden Valley reds, but this modern classic consistently proves cabernet can reach great heights too. Cassis, licorice and cedar leap from the glass, drawing you into a wine etched and defined in intricate detail.
Vintage 2005. 10 May 2008, Ray Jordan, West Australian - West Weekend Magazine
One of the best Henschke cabernets is the Cyril Henschke 2005 ($112). The vintage has resulted in a fully ripe varietal expression of cabernet with sweet lifted black currant and cedar on the nose and a palate of opulence and underlying power that has the structure to cellar for many years. 96/100. One of the best I have tasted.
Vintage 2004. August 2007, Dr Peter Hay, Australian Doctor
A fabulous complex cabernet from an iconic brand and sourced from the best vintage so far this decade. What more could you ask? One of the true believers and those with patience top wait five-plus years.
Vintage 2004. 28 April 2007, Max Allen, Weekend Australian
In previous vintages, Cyril has tended to blackcurrant mintiness - like drinking herbs steeped in Ribena...this new vintage, by contrast, is just brilliant: deeply concentrated, finely structured, full of intense, coiled complexity.
Vintage 2002. August 2007, James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion
Excellent colour; a lovely wine, another in the stable to bounce back. Classic cabernet fruit with long, fine, cedary/savoury tannins; perfect balance. Rating 96/100.