St Henri Shiraz 2018 0.75L

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.

Palate: Fruits (white plum, fresh fig and quandong) and charcuterie savouries abound. Fresh vibrant acidity abetted by the cut-rhubarb noted aromatically above, and liquorice root. Toasted pumpkin seed flavours, tannin-dry yet not puckering. Mouth-watering, finely etched tannins "mist up" the palate spectrum-a tactile fog! Oak-where art thou?
Bottle Size: 0.75L
Region: South Australia
ABV: 14.5%
Vintage: 2018
Rating: 98pts by Andrew Caillard MW
Grape Varietal: Shiraz
Tasting Notes: Lifted, racy. Rhône-ish at first, South Australian upon sitting. Bountiful aromatics ascend-initially redcurrant, cranberry, Christmas cake mix, and then the liberation of citrus (lime peel) , fennel and olive.Middle Eastern spices also present-sweet, not savoury (incl. cinnamon, nutmeg). And, not unexpected, something not present-oak! velte. Nevertheless, propels assertive tannins that build-sheeted/layered in configuration.To please all tastes-the sweet-zabaglione, custard, raw chocolate (cocoa); and the savoury-(bone) marrow, star anise. Lingers, and certainly leaves a most appealing "residual" impression for quite some time after ingestion.