Dry red wine, 75cl. Full bodied 100% Shiraz from South Australia. 14.5% ABV.
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. Released for the first time by Penfolds in the early 1950s (first commercial vintage 1957), it gained a new lease of life in the 1990s as its quality and distinctive style became better understood. 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 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.
Producer Profile: Penfolds
Since 1844, Penfolds has played a pivotal role in the evolution of winemaking with a history and heritage that profoundly reflects Australia’s journey to the modern era. Penfolds collection of wines were established in a spirit of innovation and the constant and endless pursuit of quality, evidenced by the secret bottling of Grange in 1951 and the unbroken line of vintages of what is now considered Australia’s most iconic red wine. It is this spirit of innovation that drives the brand’s curiosity and determination to always push beyond boundaries, unrestricted by region or vineyard. Today, the Penfolds Collection continues to display the brand’s distinctive and consistently recognisable ‘House Style’; the ultimate expression of Penfolds time-honoured tradition of sourcing the best fruit from some of the most highly regarded winemaking regions in the world, including Napa and Bordeaux, alongside many of the most-acclaimed regions within Australia.
