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. 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.

Structural descriptors don’t usually lead the charge for St Henri, but they are certainly faithful to the 2019 vintage.  A fine graphite core. The warmth and creaminess of Mexican sauce with the weight of wild game: venison loin, braised hare.  Eventually sweet custard flavours emerge, smooth and textural. Portuguese tart!   A suggestion of fine salinity aligns with mouth-watering acidity, cleansing.  As always with St Henri, restrained, no need to be showy.  The dark cacoa tannins are so fine they could be spun from silk.  Will age and evolve beautifully for decades.