1993 Henschke Lenswood Croft Museum Release Chardonnay

Notes sourced from Henschke.

Grape Variety: 100% chardonnay grapes grown on Stephen and Prue Henschke’s Lenswood vineyard in the Adelaide Hills.

Background: Stephen and Prue Henschke, fifth generation winemakers at the family cellars at Keyneton, selected Lenswood in 1981 as a new vineyard site in the Adelaide Hills, the heart of the South Mount Lofty Ranges. At 550 metres, the Lenswood vineyards not only offer beautiful views over the older vine lands, but also higher rainfall and humidity at the right time of the year, cooler temperatures to retain higher natural acidity, and still enough sunshine to fully ripen the grapes.

Vineyard History: The chardonnay vineyard has taken its name from the adjoining Croft Road. Frederick Croft an orchardist took up a neighbouring property in 1938.

Vintage Description: Yields were down, but grape quality may have surpassed even that of 1990. Record wet winters in 1992 were followed by a stormy, warm spring with fungal diseases and associated flowering problems. What looked like a potential failure, however, was saved by six weeks of warm and even hot autumn weather. This resulted in perfect fruit – ripe, with good flavour and acidity.

Tasting Notes: Deep gold. Sweet, fragrant, creamy, buttery. Peach, honeysuckle, melon, pear/clove, vanilla and cashew nuts. Sweet fruit with complex, rich structure. Crisp and clean on the palate. Complex and nicely balanced with good length.

Cellaring Potential: Excellent vintage, drink now.
Alcohol: 14.3%

Only 12 bottles available.