97 Points James Halliday — An Eden Valley Icon from One of Australia's Most Revered Wine Families

My Wine Man on Henschke

Henschke is one of Australia's greatest wine dynasties — a fifth-generation family estate in the Eden Valley with a winemaking heritage stretching back to 1868. While Hill of Grace may be their most celebrated label, the Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon is the estate's definitive statement on what Eden Valley can do with Cabernet — a wine of extraordinary elegance, structure, and longevity. Named in honour of Cyril Henschke, who transformed the estate into the icon it is today, this is a bottle that rewards patience and commands respect. Winemaker Prue Henschke continues to craft it with the same meticulous attention to detail that has made this family name synonymous with Australian fine wine excellence.

Tasting Notes

Deep, inky crimson with a brilliant clarity. The nose is complex and inviting — blackcurrant, dark plum, and mulberry at the core, framed by cedar, cigar box, and a whisper of dried herb and graphite. On the palate, the 2019 vintage shows exceptional concentration and poise: full-bodied with silky, finely-grained tannins, a seamless mid-palate, and a long, persistent finish of great elegance and depth. 97 Points — James Halliday.

Style & Drinking Window

Full-bodied with superb structure, fine tannins, and a finish that goes on and on — this is a Cabernet built for the long haul. Approachable now with 1–2 hours of decanting, but will reward cellaring through 2035–2040+. Serve at 16–18°C.

Food Pairing

The concentrated blackcurrant fruit and cedar complexity of the Henschke Cyril make it a magnificent match for Australian Sher Wagyu Sirloin M5 Steak from My Meat Man. The wine's silky tannins and dark fruit depth are a natural counterpart to the extraordinary marbling and richness of M5 Wagyu — whether seared simply in a cast iron pan, finished with truffle butter, or served with a classic red wine jus.

Why This Is a Smart Buy

At HK$1,088, the Henschke Cyril 2019 — rated 97 Points by James Halliday — represents one of the most compelling cases for Australian fine wine in our cellar. From one of the country's most storied estates, in a vintage of exceptional quality, this is a bottle that will only grow in stature — and at this price, it remains significantly more accessible than comparable icons from Bordeaux or Napa.

Looking for a Different Style?

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