Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2020 (Gift Boxed)
Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2020 (Gift Boxed)
Dozen Price: $1559.88
RRP: $150.00
The 2020 vintage of Penfolds St Henri Shiraz, presented in a gift box, displays a garnet red hue with a deep purple center. The aroma profile is a pleasant surprise, with no influence from oak. With a subtle swirl, the descriptors are revealed, first with hints of forest fruits such as berry conserve, strawberry flan, and rhubarb tart, followed by a touch of sweetness reminiscent of red glacé cherries. On the savoury side, notes of German Blutwurst spiced sausage, pan scrapings from roast lamb, and salt-cured beef with black peppercorns emerge, along with hints of iron and whetstone. As expected, the palate offers a savoury experience, with nuances of Japanese nori paper and olive brine. At its core, fresh blueberry and mulberry leaf flavours are enhanced by exotic spices like Alleppey turmeric, toasted cumin, and pimento. The tactile tannins are comparable to Dutch cocoa
"St Henri has always been one of my favourite Penfolds wines. A multiregional shiraz aged for 12 months in large, old oak vats, I was always enamored with its less percussive attributes and proven lineage of cellar worthiness. Crimson with pure notes of plum compote, cherry clafoutis, roasting meats, earth, spice, ironstone, mocha, pan juices and the fainest wisp of wintergreen. It's such a comforting wine, with its unobstructed view of fruit and vintage, finishing savoury with powdery tannin grip and a dusting of cocoa powder and coal dust. Lovely stuff."
96 Points - Dave Brookes, Halliday's Wine Companion, 21st July 2023
Wine Specifications
Wine Specifications
Variety: Shiraz
Size: 750mL
Region: South Australia
ABV: 14.5%
Vintage: 2020
Winery & Vintage Info
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.
South Australia experienced the second consecutive year of winter drought. Spring was cool and dry, conditions that continued well into November delaying flowering and fruit-set. With root-zone moisture levels well below average, irrigation was vital. The 2019 calendar year was the driest on record in the Barossa Valley, while the Clare Valley had the driest winter in 120 years. Clare Valley and Barossa Valley experienced frosts in September that also reduced yields. October was windy in Clare Valley which challenged fruit-set. The beginning of summer was marked by a state-wide heatwave. In all, the Barossa Valley had 26 summer days recorded over 35°C. Cooler conditions in January and February provided some much welcome relief. McLaren Vale had above average rainfall in February, which ensured the vines were able to finish the remainder of the season in good shape. Bunch weights and berry numbers were low across the three regions with yields significantly below average. As is often the case, adversity and low yields can produce outstanding quality, and 2020 was no exception. The harvest produced some outstanding parcels of shiraz well suited to the St Henri style.
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