2015 Abbott's Prayer Lenswood Vineyard

57% Cabernet Sauvignon and 43% Merlot from their biodynamically managed vineyard in Lenswood. Very cool site for these varieties: ‘If we get three vintages out of five we’re happy – we’re pushing the boundaries.’ The name came from linking several important things. First, Stephen Henschke went to school with Geoffrey Bishop, ‘one of Australia’s most interesting historians’, and it was Geoffrey who gave Stephen and Prue lots of interesting information about the Adelaide Hills region. Secondly, the first Henschkes settled originally just 5 km from this vineyard in a place called Lobethal – this comes from Martin Luther’s German translation of the Bible and meant ‘Valley of Praise’ (at the time, Lenswood was a Baptist valley full of pioneers planting apples who thought wine (and therefore the grape) was evil!). Thirdly, the area just below the vineyard was a cricket ground, possibly vineyards before that, called Abbott’s Flat. Bordeaux-like but with a sumptuousness that you’ll never find in bordeaux. Lots of violet leaf and mulberries, cassis and the sharper, mintier blackcurrant bud lending freshness and length, green capsicum throwing a flash of contrast. Tailored tannins, every seam hand-stitched and fitting with Saville-Row perfection. Even the touch of black olive, its bitter saltiness, doesn’t knock a whisker out of place. (TC)