Penfolds St.Henri Shiraz 2008
St Henri is a time honoured and alternative expression of Shiraz, and an intriguing counterpoint to Grange. It is unusual among 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 as it ages. It is matured in old, 1,460 litre vats that allow 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.
The 2008 Penfolds St Henri is a blend of 91% shiraz and 9% cabernet sauvignon from premium vineyards in the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek and Adelaide Hills. It was aged for 13 months in large 50+ y.o. large seasoned wine vats.
Please note: private cellar wines are sourced from trusted, temperature-stable cellars, but as mature bottles they are sold as seen. No refunds or exchanges for change of mind, personal preference or bottle variation. Australian Consumer Law rights still apply.
