Penfolds St Henri Shiraz Red Wine Australia 2016 75cl

Penfolds St Henri Shiraz is an alternative expression of Shiraz, and an intriguing counterpoint to Penfolds Grange red wine. It is unusual among 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 as it ages. Matured in old, 1,460 litre vats allows the wine to develop, imparting minimal, if any oak character. Although a small proportion of Cabernet is sometimes used to improve structure, the focal point for St Henri remains Shiraz.

First vintaged in 1953. 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.

2020 – 2045. Drinking well now, but will improve with time.

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