Penfolds St Henri Shiraz (2017)

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, this is a special limited release of the seriously wicked 2017 vintage…

96/100 (James Halliday’s Wine Companion)
“The cool and late vintage kissed the wine on both cheeks, making the classic maturation in 50yo vats doubly welcome. A glimpse of the future is the use of fruit from Port Lincoln joining the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and Eden Valley in the blend. This has none of the hardness that sometimes gives an edge to St Henri, purity stepping in to its sculpted palate. Includes 3% cabernet sauvignon.”

96/100 & Top Rank Award (Huon Hooke, The Real Review)
“The colour is impressively concentrated, dense and dark, the purple tinge staining the glass. The bouquet carries some apparent oaky nuances as well as very ripe blackberry fruit aromas. Concentrated dark berries, graphite, tar and tremendous depth and density of flavour that rolls on endlessly along the palate. Fresh acidity and ripely authoritative tannin grip to close. Hints of mocha and espresso coffee throughout. The texture is supple and smoothly rounded. No oak is apparent on palate. A powerful, lingering wine with great potential.”

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.