Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2018 750ml (ABV 14%)

St Henri is a time-honoured and alternative expression of shiraz, and an intriguing counterpoint to Grange. It is unusual amongst high quality Australian red wines as it does not rely on any new oak. St Henri is rich and plush when young, gaining soft, earthy, mocha-like characters with age. It is matured in an assortment of old large vats that allow the wine to develop, imparting minimal, if any oak character. Although a small proportion of cabernet may sneak into the blend, the focal point for St Henri remains shiraz.

Nose -The elution of flinty pencil and cordite. Warmed black olive – mustardy spiced wild rocket, haloumi. Scents of a parsley salad, eggplant, capers. Freshly sliced fig and cut-rhubarb laced with spices and nuts.

Palate – Stone fruits and charcuterie savouries abound. Fresh acidity abetted by the cut-rhubarb noted aromatically above, and liquorice root. Toasted pumpkin seed flavours, tannin-dry yet not puckering. Mouth-watering, finely etched tannins mist up the palate spectrum a tactile fog!

Type: Red Wine
Distillery: Penfolds