Penfolds Shiraz St. Henri South Australia 2017

$ 180

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$ 110

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$ 97

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PENFOLDS!!! Their 97 POINT St. Henri bottling is the brand’s counterpoint to their flagship “Grange”. All of the prestige, and one of the world’s best expressions of Syrah...minus the new oak influence.

Purists! Aussie lovers! Syrah, and Shiraz enthusiasts the world over – you…are…not…READY! PENFOLDS is here! The Big Cheese, the Top Boss, the big Grand Poobah of Australian wine – and one of the greatest producers in the entire world…HERE! Now! Huzzah! You’ve surely heard of Grange – their flagship Shiraz (usually with a dash of Cab) that has made them the Land Down Under’s First Growth champion. Maybe a handful of you have even tasted it – in all of its lacquered, tongue-staining, spine-tightening glory! Welp, I’m lucky enough to have tasted Grange side-by-side with this bottling of St. Henri…and I can say – without my prototypical ebullious flair or any modicum of hyperbole – I’ll take THIS…every single time!

It’s not that it is a better wine, per se…just different. Grange is beastly, shellacked with oak influence and a veritable spice-box of unapologetically bold, barrel-driven flavors. It’s delicious – no question – but I LOOOOOOOOOOOVVVVEEE me some Syrah/Shiraz. St. Henri is soooo pure, so wild and unhindered – as evocative as it is mysterious, with TONS of fruit, and plenty of spice – just in more of that wild garrigue and fresh herbs from the garden sort of way. It’s floral, and infused with violets, and cherry kirsch, but also this smoky/beefy/bacon fat savageness that makes for truly EPIC Syrah/Shiraz unforgettable! And hey…97 POINTS is just the cherry on top!!!

50-YEAR-OLD plus large oak casks hold the wine for a mere 12 months – just enough to polish the tannins into a honed and razor-sharp spear of vinous delight! The torrefaction of careful winemaking gives this a fresh-roasted coffee bean aura, with salt-brined black olives tickling your tongue the second it hits the palate. But cool, bright red fruits and a tingly demeanor drive this ever onward, with pomegranates and red currants lingering long after each and every sip – both teasing you and dragging you towards the next eager gulp, until every last drop is done and dusted! It finishes cleaner than a perfect sweep in Olympic curling – and the same heartfelt warmth settles into your soul for just as long. This is vibrantly youthful for coming up on a decade – and another 20+ years are clearly within reach. I don’t think I can wait that long myself – I’m already dreaming of the roasted and braised leg of lamb that I’m going to serve this with over Easter. Under $100 is an absolute steal for what must surely be a TOP 10 Shiraz/Syrah in the entire universe – and with FREE SHIPPING on every order…you’d be wise to get as many as you possibly can, as quickly as you can!

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97 POINTS

"Dark ruby with purple reflections, brightening at the rim. The nose is still a little reserved, with forest-fruit confit, delicate caramel nougat, and fine liquorice notes in the background. It needs air. Juicy and elegant, it shows complexity and good drive, with pleasant fruit expression, and ripe, perfectly integrated tannins. It lasts well, with fine supporting tannins on the finish. A good food wine, it is sure to develop well and has the potential to age for many years." ~Falstaff

96 POINTS

"The latest bottling of St. Henri, from a cool vintage, is a classic. Inky-hued, it's a deep well of flavor: plush blackberries, roasted vegtables, coffee beans, dark chocolate and a sanguine nuance. The palate is rich and mouthfilling but linear, with polished, spicy oak and fine, powerful tannins. It's a big wine that needs a major hit of protein if drinking now, but it will age beautifully for many decades to come. Drink through 2045." ~Wine Enthusiast

96 POINTS

"There’s a lot to love about this wine: its calm modesty, assured sense of purpose, and long, steady procession of flavours. The elastic palate stretches and shifts through rich savoury notes over a measured meld of sweet berries. If you regard Shiraz as being too much a playful puppy, then this represents a more docile, loyal companion. It’s a comforting wine; reliable and secure. A slowly bowed cello rather than a shrill violin. An evocative slow dance to a timeless ballad. Watch its allure grow with time in the cellar." ~Decanter

95 POINTS

"This has a very impressive, intense nose with a cool and spicy edge, as well as aromas of red flowers and fresh raspberries, set amid some wild-herb tones. The palate has very expressive raspberry and cranberry flavors, delivered among fine, crunchy and lithe, juicy tannins. The palate has a deep, red-plum core that’s quite tautly contained and wrapped up neatly for some time to come. Try this from 2025. Screw cap." ~James Suckling

“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 maysneak into the blend, the focal point for St Henri remains shiraz.”

Technical Details

Country: Australia

Region: South Australia

Blend: 97% Shiraz, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon

Varietal: Syrah (Shiraz)

Vineyard: Vineyards in Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Eden Valley & Port Lincoln

Farming: Sustainable Practices

Winemaker: Peter Gago

Aging/Cooperage: 12 months

Alcohol: 14.5

Production: 690 cases

About the Producer

After the success of early sherry and fortified wines, founders Dr Christopher and Mary Penfold planted the vine cuttings they had carried on their voyage over to Australia. In 1844, the fledging vineyard was officially established as the Penfolds wine company at Magill Estate. As the company grew, so too did Dr Penfold’s medical reputation, leaving much of the running of the winery to Mary Penfold. Early forays into Clarets and Rieslings proved increasingly popular, and on Christopher’s death in 1870, Mary assumed total responsibility for the winery. Mary’s reign at the helm of Penfolds saw years of determination and endeavour. By the time Mary Penfold retired in 1884 (ceding management to her daughter, Georgina), Penfolds was producing 1/3 of all South Australia’s wine. She’d set an agenda that continues today, experimenting with new methods in wine production. By Mary’s death in 1896, the Penfolds legacy was well on its way to fruition. By 1907, Penfolds had become South Australia’s largest winery. In 1948, history was made again as Max Schubert became the company’s first Chief Winemaker. A loyal company man and true innovator, Schubert would propel Penfolds onto the global stage with his experimentation with long-lasting wines - the creation of Penfolds Grange in the 1950s. In 1959 (while Schubert was perfecting his Grange experiment in secret), the tradition of ‘bin wines’ began. The first, a Shiraz wine with the grapes of the company’s own Barossa Valley vineyards was simply named after the storage area of the cellars where it is aged. And so Kalimna Bin 28 becomes the first official Penfolds Bin number wine.

In 1960, the Penfolds board instructed Max Schubert to officially restart production on Grange. His determination and the quality of the aged wine had won them over. Soon, the medals began flowing, and Grange quickly became one of the most revered wines around the world. In 1988, Schubert was named Decanter Magazine’s Man of the Year, and on the 50th anniversary of its birth, Penfolds Grange was given a heritage listing in South Australia. Despite great success, Penfolds never rests on its laurels. In 2012, Penfolds released its most innovative project to date - 12 handcrafted ampoules of the rare 2004 Kalimna Block Cabernet Sauvignon. Two years later, Penfolds celebrated the 170th anniversary – having just picked up a perfect score of 100 for the 2008 Grange in two of the world’s most influential wine magazines. Today, Penfolds continues to hold dear the philosophies and legends – ‘1844 to evermore!’.

Pairing Suggestions

Roast lamb with carrots and parsnips

Penfolds Shiraz St. Henri South Australia 2017

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