Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2018 750ml

St Henri is a time-honoured and distinct Shiraz expression, as well as an intriguing counterpart to Grange. It is unique among high-quality Australian red wines in that it does not use any new wood.

Stone fruits and charcuterie savouries are plentiful. Fresh acidity is aided by the aromatic cut rhubarb mentioned above as well as liquorice root. Flavours of toasted pumpkin seeds, tannin-dry but not puckering. Tannins that are mouth-watering and beautifully etched “mist up’ the palate spectrum, creating a tactile fog!

Proudly, a wine style that has not bowed to fad or business. When fresh, St. Henri is rich and fluffy, but as it ages, it develops soft, earthy, mocha-like characteristics. It is aged in 1,460-gallon vats that allow the wine to develop while imparting little to no oak flavour. Although a tiny amount of Cabernet is used to increase structure, Shiraz is still the major focus of St. Henri.