Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2016
St Henri is a time-honoured and alternative expression of Shiraz, and an intriguing counterpoint to Grange. It is unusual among high quality Australian red wines as it does not rely on any new oak.
Proudly, a wine style that hasn’t succumbed to the dictates of fashion or commerce. St Henri is rich and plush when young, gaining soft, earthy, mocha-like characters as it ages. It is matured in old, 1,460 litre vats that allow the wine to develop, imparting minimal, if any oak character.
Origin: Multi-regional blend, South Australia. From Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley, Coonawarra , Magill Estate.
$145.00 each
Additional details
Region:
Cellaring:
Drinking well now, but will improve with time to 2055.
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.
With air/decant a perfumed zabaglione / crème anglaise / eggnog ‘creaminess’ also ascends.
At once, St Henri.
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.
No gaps – call it saturation or density/compaction sans ‘bigness’ – apportioned correctly.
Red and dark-fruited, a compote of fresh prune and quince.
2016 + tempered shiraz + House Style + Penfolds = an assured St Henri collectable.
Varietal Composition:
95% Shiraz, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.
