2001 Henschke Abbotts Prayer

Community Tasting Notes (11) Avg Score: 93 points

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  3/11/2023 - forceberry wrote: 91 Points

  A blend of Merlot (86%), Cabernet Sauvignon (9%) and Cabernet Franc (5%) from the Lenswood Vineyard in Adelaide Hills. Aged for 21 months in new and old French hogsheads. 14,5% alcohol, 5,9 g/l acidity and pH 3,46. Tasted blind.
  
  Evolved, moderately translucent brick-red color with an evolved maroon hue. The nose feels evolved, somewhat sweet-toned and quite expressive with aromas of ripe dark fruits and wizened red plums, some raisiny tones, a little bit of meat-and-dill stew, light green nuances of eucalyptus, a hint of blueberry and a savory touch of meaty tertiary character. The wine feels ripe, silky and moderately evolved on the palate with a moderately full body and quite complex flavors of wizened dark fruits and slightly tart red plums, some evolved and quite meaty umami tones, a little bit of ripe cranberries, light oaky nuances of sweet, toasty mocha character and woody oak spice, a hint of dill and a touch of dried dates. The structure and balance rely mostly on the moderately high acidity as the resolved tannins contribute very little to anything else but the rich, textural mouthfeel. The finish is rich, ripe and juicy with a long, somewhat sweet-toned aftertaste of dried dates and prunes, some toasty oak tones, a little bit of dill, light tart notes of redcurrants and fresh red plums, a hint of meaty umami and a touch of alcohol warmth.
  
  You can taste that this wine has been quite polished and most likely moderately oaky in its youth, but age has nicely integrated quite a bit of that oak with the evolved, savory fruit tones. The wine comes across as pretty evolved and slightly tertiary, but it is still pretty far away from going downhill. Despite the still somewhat noticeable oak treatment and rather ripe, sweet-toned fruit, this is a pretty lovely Bordeaux blend from Australia. Nice stuff.

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  1/20/2023 - Lype Likes this wine:

  Gracefully light and elegant, lively in a civilized and calm manner, bright red fruit, twinkle of menthol, attractively fresh character, good and long slightly peppery aftertaste. In a lovely place now, a great time to open these.

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  12/28/2021 - ajefferyhbd@gmail.com Likes this wine: 96 Points

  Awesome

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  11/18/2017 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:

  From the land down under - Q4 Wine Club (The Apt): My favorite of the bonus bottles. This was really bright red fruits (as might be expected since I think this is a Merlot dominated blend). Still tasting very young and expect could easily age another 5+ years. Some good pepper. I think also enjoyed by others as this was one of the fastest bottles to go in the bonus time period.

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  4/16/2017 - despore wrote: 93 Points

  Wow, not past prime yet, layered, classical Hencshke, tannins mellowed and acidity fading, but secondary flavors outstanding.

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