Penfolds St Henri Shiraz (2018)

From the kingpin of Aussie red wine producers, this famous Penfolds St Henri Shiraz label is one the Penfolds crew like to call an “alternative expression of Shiraz“. That’s because, unlike most top end Aussie Shiraz, there’s no new oak aging used in St Henri. Instead they give it 12 months in large 50 year old oak vats.

First produced in the 1950s with a new lease of life given to the label in the 90s, well here’s their latest 2018 vintage and it’s every bit the world class red we’ve come to expect…

98/100 & Top Rank (Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review)
“This is a wonderful example of St Henri and a powerful endorsement for ageing rich, powerful syrah in large, neutral casks to swing the spotlight firmly onto the wine’s wonderful array of fruit, chocolate-mocha and savoury flavours without the distraction of oak. It envelopes the senses and promises to develop wonderfully with bottle age.”

97/100 & Top Rank Award (Huon Hooke, The Real Review)
“Deep, bright purple/red colour, young for its age, and leaves a residue in the swirled glass. The bouquet is very rich and multi-layered, sweetly fruit-ripe and balancing spicy, earthy-terrestrial and dark-fruit characters superbly. The palate is very full-bodied, but softly plush and lushly fruited, the sooty and graphitey tannins leaving a long-lingering savoury impression. A lasting impression of great elegance. The tannins are fine, abundant and persistent, in harmony with the totality. A very complex and high-potential St Henri. (Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Port Lincoln, Robe, Padthaway, Clare Valley, Adelaide Hills. Aged 12 months in 50+ year-old oak vats)”

Although 100% Shiraz it’s produced using the Penfolds multi-vineyard blend philosophy, sourcing their best grapes from select vineyards throughout the McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills. A special wine that has huge cellaring potential of 15-20 years.

Note: This bottle has been carefully stored in our temperature controlled wine cellar.