2019 Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon

The savory and brooding 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Cyril Henschke opens with muscular aromas of baked earth, blackberry, dark chocolate with a dusting and ground spices. A faint leafy note adds freshness. The 2019 is a refined, mid-weight wine. The palate takes on more olive accents and earthy tones strong with balanced, fine tannins. Enjoyable and built for her medium term.

- Angus Hughson (07/2024)

Typically sweet-scented aromas of blueberry, crushed currant, dried sage and bay leaf. Licorice lacing the tannins, a finely wrought network of pucker, compression and release, auguring for development and further nuance across a long aging window. While far from the ease of a luncheon claret, that is not, perhaps, the point. This is a full-weighted expression of cabernet that plays, at least in a regional context, a well-wrought, savory card. Drinkable now, but best from 2028. Glass stopper.

- Ned Goodwin MW (03(2024)

Though dark and concentrated, this is a polished, elegant presentation of blackberry, black currant and spiced plum notes, with violet, date, nutmeg and smoked paprika accents, plus rosemary, salted black licorice and tobacco hints. Impressive for the silkiness of the tannins and the presence on the long finish. Drink now through 2035. 300 cases made, 50 cases imported.

- M.A.W. (10/2024)

The 2019 Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the wine leads with green peppercorn, sage, bay leaf and bramble, graphite, black tea, garden rose petals and red apples. In the mouth, the tannins are very fine and curl around the back of the palate. It has a sinewy stretch that I quite like—it is lean and pliable. It's a lovely wine that is spicy and fresh and lithe. The first vintage of the Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon was in 1978. Winemaking included submerged cap maceration, no rack and return, pressed after dryness. 14% alcohol, sealed under Vinolok (hardened glass from Czechoslovakia).

- Erin Larkin (04/2024)