2021 Henschke Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon, Eden Valley

A blend of organic/biodynamically farmed 99/1% cabernet sauvignon/merlot from the Cyril Henschke vineyard in the Eden Valley from the outstanding 2021 vintage. A beautiful bright magenta/crimson in the glass with a pretty, lifted aromatic profile. Plum, blackberry and blackcurrant with notes of sage, bay leaf, dried herbs, violets and crushed stone. Fruit pure and detailed with a very long, graceful finish and superfine, powdery, granitic tannins. A wonderful release for the Cyril Henschke.

96 points Dave Brookes winecompanion.com.au

Henschke Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon from Eden Valley is a powerful and poised expression of Cabernet, crafted by one of Australia's most iconic winemaking families. First released in 1978, it was created as a tribute to Cyril Henschke, a pioneer of single-vineyard, varietal wines in Australia. Today, it stands as one of the country’s most age-worthy and finely structured Cabernets.

The fruit is sourced from low-yielding, mature vines grown at high altitude in the cool Eden Valley, where longer ripening seasons allow Cabernet to develop intense flavour and fragrance while retaining brightness and elegance. Organic and biodynamic practices in the vineyard add to the depth and vitality of the wine.

Stephen Henschke, now fifth-generation winemaker, oversees its production with a restrained, classical approach—open-top fermentation, gentle extraction, and aging in a mix of new and seasoned French oak for around 18 months. It’s a wine built to last, but already deeply expressive.

Expect aromatics of cassis, black cherry, bay leaf, cedar and dried tobacco. The palate is finely structured, with dark berry fruit, graphite, olive tapenade and a long savoury finish carried by firm yet polished tannins. There’s intensity, but also finesse—this isn’t just big, it’s beautifully detailed.

Perfect with roast beef, lamb with rosemary, mushroom Wellington or hard aged cheeses. Decant it now or let it evolve over decades—Cyril Henschke is built for the long haul.