Winemaker Notes
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. Although a small proportion of Cabernet is sometimes used to improve structure, the focal point for St Henri remains Shiraz.
Deep garnet. Lifted, racy. Rhône-ish at first, South Australian upon sitting. Bountiful aromatics ascend – initially redcurrant, cranberry, Christmas cake mix, and then the liberation of citrus (lime peel), fennel and olive. Middle Eastern spices also present – sweet, not savory (incl. cinnamon, nutmeg). And, not unexpected, something not present - oak! Svelte. Nevertheless, propels assertive tannins that build – sheeted/layered in configuration. To please all tastes - the sweet – zabaglione, custard, raw chocolate (cocoa); and the savory – (bone) marrow, star anise. Lingers, and certainly leaves a most appealing ‘residual’ impression for quite some time after ingestion.
Blend: 96% Shiraz, 4% Cabernet
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Barossa Valley is back to leading this wine. Plenty of baking spices and pepper for early appeal. Fruits are in the ripe blackberry, blueberry and dark raspberry zone. The palate rolls out riper than expected, a very round, rich and enveloping feel to this. Flavor of black tea and plum, tannins really drive ripe and deep. Drink 2020-2030.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This bottle was opened in front of me and served without decanting. Containing 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and with a deep garnet-purple color, the 2014 Shiraz St Henriz has a relatively shy nose of black plums, black cherries and mulberries with nuances of underbrush, fruit cake and damp soil. The full-bodied palate has satisfying richness, with firm, rounded tannins supporting the earthy fruit layers, finishing with good depth and persistence.
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Wine Enthusiast
Impenetrable in color and very nearly in style too, this wine is a deep, dark well of cherry chocolate cake, cola, raspberry, and spice. Juicy plush fruit on the palate is balanced by powerful yet silky tannins and a savory finish. This full-bodied wine is in it for the long haul. Drink now–2042.
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Wine Spectator
Savory and dark, with hints of hoisin sauce and mineral to the firm and juicy core of cherry and blackberry flavors. Tobacco and toasted herb notes linger on the finish, with dense tannins. Drink now through 2022.
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.