winemaker's notes:
Colour: Dense red with purple hues near rim.
Nose: Lively, rich and concentrated berry characters leap from the glass - raspberry and blueberry aromas abound. Complex spices - cinnamon/ginger augment a fruit-cake mixture impression that sits comfortably aside scents of savoury roast cold lamb and other charcuterie delights.
Palate: Tight, complex and stylish. Dark plum with prune beneath, the fruits are courted by enticing anise/licorice and fennel subtleties. Fruit-derived, pronounced, tight angular tannins suggest this appealing palate, moderate in alcohol and extraction, is but an infant. Excellent balance/mouthfeel - a St Henri trademark.
Serving and Cellaring Suggestions: St Henri is generally a medium-term cellaring prospect, although particularly good vintages - like the 1996 - show longer-term potential. Decant before serving with roast beef or home-made beef Wellington.
