Immediately spicy and complex, this has a rich blackberry and dark-plum nose, together with dark-chocolate and tarry, earthy elements. The palate has a very rich, fleshy feel with such ripe dark-plum, dark-chocolate, blackberry and mulberry flavors on offer. Generous, yet balanced. A South Australian blend of McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Padthaway, Wrattonbully and The Peninsulas. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
The St Henri Shiraz is often one of my favorite reds in the Penfolds Collection, due to the ability of the fruit to shine through the fine sheath of oak that encases it. At this stage, and I know you will hear this often, the wine still represents good value. The 2019 St Henri Shiraz is elegantly structured, with the 2019 vintage showing the warmth and intensity without overstepping balance or line. Texturally, this will only increase in its silky shape, which comes with the gentle suggestion to decant this if you insist on drinking it within five years from harvest (i.e., anytime from now to 2024). This 2019 is shaped by abundant red and purple fruit (and a splash of blue), charry spice and fine tannins. Gorgeous.
So much comfort comes from each sip of this graceful, understated Shiraz, boasting a meld of all the essential elements: bright, crunchy fruit freshness and satisfying savoury grip, all bound together in an intriguing textural tussle. There’s much to contemplate, with olive, plum, mulberry, cocoa and cranberry all rolling and pitching on a king tide in the mid-palate. Such a luxurious sum of the parts makes you want to dive in for more. Released at A$135/bottle.
TWI
96pts
The Wine Independent
The 2019 St Henri is made from 100% Shiraz from McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Padthaway, Wrattonbully, and The Peninsulas. As always, this wine saw no new oak and was aged 12 months in large, seasoned oak barrels. Very deep purple-black colored, it explodes with notes of blackberry pie, plum preserves, and blueberry compote, leading to suggestions of licorice, tar, and peppered salami with a waft of crushed rocks. Full-bodied, the palate is taut and firm at this youthful stage, featuring a backbone of rounded tannins and great freshness to support the generous black fruits, finishing with epic length. This forward, gregarious style of St Henri is delicious now. Still, I recommend waiting a couple of years, at least, for tertiary characters to inject a sense of gravitas into the party, then enjoy this wine over the next two decades.
Opaque ruby. An expansive, complex bouquet evokes ripe dark fruits, espresso, candied violet, vanilla and sandalwood, and an exotic spice nuance emerges slowly. Conveys a suave blend of depth and energy to sweet blueberry, kirsch and fruitcake flavors, supported by a core of juicy acidity. Shows outstanding clarity and spicy lift on the youthfully tannic finish, which strongly echoes the blue fruit and floral notes.
Shows wonderful density, with fig paste, spiced plum cake and black olive tapenade, a touch of toasted cumin and black licorice to complement the core of huckleberry and blueberry flavors. The toothsome tannins are a terrific muscular background for all of the generous flavors and the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2035. 385 cases imported.
#47 in Top 100 Cellar Selections 2023. This vintage of St. Henri opens with an opulent nose that you could dive into. Plump black currant, raspberry tart, mint and dusty pepper spice accompany barrel-derived notes like chocolate and charred vegetables. The palate is still tightly wound, even austere, with sandpaper-textured tannins and lifted acidity. Still in its infancy, this wine should be cellared another five to seven years. (Cellar Selection)
Winery Notes
Colour: Dark brick-red core, crimson on rim.
Nose: A wine that immediately invokes interest – its nose endearingly captivating/enticing/intriguing.
Fruits propelled from glass – black cherry, mulberry, blackcurrant, boysenberry … and more. A subliminal waft of star anise and savoury spices (not sweet) hover above. Palate: Instant delivery, demands attention. Engulfs palate ... ever so deftly. No intimidation. A pure-fruited retronasal continuum from the first sniff to the post-ingestion back-palate.
Pre-arrival
Case Only
