Winemaker Notes
St Henri is rich and plush when young, gaining soft, earthy, mocha-like characters as it ages. It is matured in old, 1460-litre vats that allow the wine to develop, imparting minimal, if any oak character. Although a small proportion of Cabernet is sometimes used to improve structure, the focal point for St Henri remains Shiraz.
Color: Bright, youthful, red. Nose: Pure, real, unadulterated, honest Shiraz... and 100% at that in this 2007 vintage release! Primarily, freshly-pureed mixed-berries - raspberry, mulberry, loganberry, sitting alongside aromas alike those from candied/toffeed apple. Fresh, vibrant, lively. Palate: A complete wine - fruits, tannins, acid, maturation artifacts... all combine to structurally & texturally deliver. Tannins are even throughout, yet serve to tighten palate in middle, with a singular, central focus. Robe markers - crushed shale (and saltbush/ bluebush?) evident... perhaps understandable at over one quarter of blend volume. Poised, yet still lush, generous.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2007 St Henri Shiraz is a little closed at this stage, revealing subtle earthy notes over crushed blackberries, pencil lead, toast, game, smoky bacon and tree bark. Medium bodied, elegantly fruited and still very tight-knit, the palate offers beautiful purity structured with firm chewy tannins and very crisp acid that should see it through a long life. Consider drinking it 2013 to 2022+.
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Wine & Spirits
This vintage of St. Henri shows its old-vine intensity without any jamminess. It's youthful and concentrated, surprisingly smoky for a wine made without any new oak. St. Henri often needs several years in the bottle to show at its best; this '07 is acessible on release, a clean, sleek shiraz for roast lamb.
Since 1844, Penfolds has been grounded in experimentation, curiosity and uncompromising quality. Their success has been driven by a lineage of visionary winemakers. It began with Dr. Christopher and Mary Penfold, the pioneers who dreamed big, inventing tonics, brandies, and fortified wines made from grapes and Australian sunshine. It continued with celebrated winemaking legends including Max Schubert, who pushed the development to extraordinary, bold new heights. It is this pioneering spirit and curiosity that still rings true after nearly two centuries, it is what has helped Penfolds become one of the most celebrated winemakers in the world today.
Though Syrah originated in the Rhône Valley of France, Australia is home to the oldest Syrah (called Shiraz here) vines on the planet. Found in Australia’s Barossa Valley, where phylloxera has never threated viticulture, these ancient vines are between 140 to 175 years old!
Having brought fame and merit to the country’s wine scene since the early 1950s, namely via the debut of Penfolds Grange, today Syrah (Shiraz) claims rank as the most widely planted grape in Australia. In fact, the amount of land dedicated to Shiraz in Australia is now almost equivalent to what it is in France. Australian Shiraz has its own personality with flavors and aromas of intense blackberry, fruitcake, menthol, tobacco leaf and umami. Conveniently one can find great Australian Shiraz at a variety of price points but the very best will be dense, gloriously complex and capable of long aging.