Shiraz St Henri, Penfolds 2019

The 2019 St Henri is made from 100% Shiraz from McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Padthaway, Wrattonbully, and The Peninsulas. As always, this wine saw no new oak and was aged 12 months in large, seasoned oak barrels. Very deep purple-black colored, it explodes with notes of blackberry pie, plum preserves, and blueberry compote, leading to suggestions of licorice, tar, and peppered salami with a waft of crushed rocks. Full-bodied, the palate is taut and firm at this youthful stage, featuring a backbone of rounded tannins and great freshness to support the generous black fruits, finishing with epic length. This forward, gregarious style of St Henri is delicious now. Still, I recommend waiting a couple of years, at least, for tertiary characters to inject a sense of gravitas into the party, then enjoy this wine over the next two decades.

The St Henri Shiraz is often one of my favorite reds in the Penfolds Collection, due to the ability of the fruit to shine through the fine sheath of oak that encases it. At this stage, and I know you will hear this often, the wine still represents good value. The 2019 St Henri Shiraz is elegantly structured, with the 2019 vintage showing the warmth and intensity without overstepping balance or line. Texturally, this will only increase in its silky shape, which comes with the gentle suggestion to decant this if you insist on drinking it within five years from harvest (i.e., anytime from now to 2024). This 2019 is shaped by abundant red and purple fruit (and a splash of blue), charry spice and fine tannins. Gorgeous.

Sweet rose petals and stewed strawberries on the nose with touches of green flowers giving the florality. Smooth and supple, lovely clarity and poise. I like the light touch in the glass, really clean and pure with red berry fruits. Juicy and so alive on the palate really giving this so much appeal and drinkability. I love the lift and the brightness while still having depth and layers of chalky tannins. Delicious and moreish.

Immediately spicy and complex, this has a rich blackberry and dark-plum nose, together with dark-chocolate and tarry, earthy elements. The palate has a very rich, fleshy feel with such ripe dark-plum, dark-chocolate, blackberry and mulberry flavors on offer. Generous, yet balanced. A South Australian blend of McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Padthaway, Wrattonbully and The Peninsulas. Drink or hold. Screw cap.