Penfolds - St. Henri Shiraz 2021

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "I recently tasted a vertical of St Henri from 1958 through to this 2021, and just behind the 1962 and 2010, the 2021 was among the top five best St Henri's ever made. The 2021 St Henri Shiraz has succulence and balance, and it is fresh and unencumbered by heavy oak characters via the adherence to large-format, seasoned oak and the blessing of the season. The tannic density and weight of the wine comes from the fruit rather than the vessel, and this will hold it is great stead over the decades to come. This was sourced from Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale. 2021 was a lovely season in South Australia; the lead-in was wet from August onward, replenishing the arid ground from the past three vintages of drought. The season was long and warm but rarely, if ever, hot, with well-timed rain events that allowed producers, for the most part, to avoid viticultural pressure. Having explained this, I have found many of the reds from 2021 to be really quite ripe—it seems to me that many people had the opportunity to leave fruit on the vine, and many did. This feels to buck that trend. Excellent. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork."

FALSTAFF: "Derzeit auf der Frucht gebaut: Zwetschge, dunkle Beeren, ergänzt von Gewürznuancen, Lakritz sowie Nuancen von Trockenfrüchten. Am Gaumen ebenfalls intensiv mit fast süsslich wirkendem Extrakt und wiederum intensiver Beerenfrucht. Endet sehr lang und saftig. Ein Speisenbegleiter, der jung schon überaschend gut schmeckt aber auch viele Jahre reifen kann."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Blackberries and dark chocolate with some toasted nuts, oak and graphite give this very enticing aromas that follow through to a medium body with a solid core of fruit and fine tannins that spread across the palate. Extremely well crafted overall and easy to drink young. Drink or hold."

DECANTER: "Like a wise old friend, St Henri never seems rushed or unnecessarily exaggerated, with its rounded tones of lush Shiraz fruitiness celebrated but not overly amplified through a 12-month maturation in large old oak vats. Since its first vintage in 1957, this winning formula has resulted in a truly integrated palate, with the softness of the tannins ensuring a calm finish. Fruit from the Barossa and McLaren Vale brings both generosity in the rich cherry and ripe red plum flavours, along with a meaty chew, while also maintaining length and drive through a long, even palate peppered with savoury tones and minerality."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Fragrant and exuberant, with a core of black cherry, wild strawberry, raspberry puree and blackberry notes that show accents of candy-coated fennel seed, fresh tarragon, cigar box and violet, backed by a hint of savory black olive tapenade and bittersweet chocolate. All of these complexities are set up on a dense, fleshy frame, with gripping tannins on the finish. Drink now through 2038."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Very dark purple. Some freshness on the relatively light nose. Dry finish and some balsamic notes. Very little sweet fruit here for the moment, though it’s likely to blossom in bottle. There’s a real sore-throat-healing undertow though …"