2017 Penfolds St Henri Shiraz

Brand	Penfolds
Region	South Australia
Varietal	Shiraz
Size	750ml
Alcohol %	13.5%
Vintage	2017
Country	Australia

6 Magnificent ratings from 95-98/100. I recently drank a 1996 St Henri from my cellar - it was fully developed with a luxuriously rounded, velvety, elegantly persisting palate… I adored every sip! Due reward for aging quality wine for so long. “You cannot compare other alcoholic beverages to wine! Wine is a living, breathing, maturing elixir that beautifully grows from exuberant primary youth to savoury and complex old age, peaking halfway along the journey. No different to us humans; and if we don’t give great wine due care, it ages much more quickly and harshly… same again for us humans”! Back to St Henri… it is the legendary alter ego to Grange; the blend is 97% Shiraz and 3% Cabernet… St. Henri is aged in 50 + year old 1,460-litre wooden vats as opposed to Grange’s 100% use of new oak barrels. It was always intended by its founding Penfolds winemaker John Davoren, to be a more elegant expression of the Shiraz grape through adopting more traditional winemaking methods. A veritable multi-district basket of fruit is sourced across South Australia from the Barossa Valley, Eden Valley, Clare Valley, McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek, Robe and Bordertown with increasing components coming from Adelaide Hills in recent vintages. Some vines are up to 90 years old.

Enticing floral (rose) notes hover over dense dark fruit, spice, anise and tarry aromas.

Warm, rich layers of dense black fruits; spice laden entry onto the palate delivered within very engaging, almost caressing tannin. Its creamy, juicy contrast is divine and further imbued with anise, baking spice, soy, chocolate and tarry complexities. Although very refined it does not want for power and finishes with a juicy, refreshing coolness. A Stunning St. Henri, likely to age 40-50 years in professional storage. Enjoy with rare roast beef.