2009 St Henri Shiraz
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Opened during an incredible Rewards of Patience tasting in Paris, this is exceptionally enjoyable, hovers above the palate, with the finesse of an older vintage imprinting itself onto its younger counterpart. I can see where this is going and I want to go there too. Tobacco, raspberry, cherry, olive paste, fragrant, more of a feeling than a taste, a delicious wine.
Critic scores
Average Score
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Some Wrattonbully fruit. Main source was Robe, planted from early 1990s. Mid ruby. Intensely aromatic, almost minty nose. Then sweet and bloody and without the finesse of the two vintages just beforehand. A bit stolid. Could do with a little more lift. But it couldn’t be faulted for palate impact! Sweeter than the 2011. (JR)
(includes 3% cabernet sauvignon; no new oak): Deep ruby. Highly perfumed aromas and flavors of cassis, cherry, licorice and rose pastille. Suave and open on entry, then taut, dense and seamless, offering sweet cherry compote, chewing tobacco and spicecake flavors that are lifted by harmonious acidity. Finishes with very suave, fine-grained tannins and impressive, mineral-driven persistence.
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2009 St Henri Shiraz is slated for release on May 1, 2013. It is a little closed at the moment though reveals earthy aromas of warm berries, some mulberries and Chinese dried plums over notes of meat, black olive, coffee and tree bark. Richly concentrated and complex with layered, savory flavors, it is structured by firm, grainy tannins and is finishing long. It needs time to develop further. Drink it from 2015 to 2025+. Importer: Treasury Wine Estates, Napa, CA
About the producer
Penfolds is Australia’s most famous wine producer, known best for their iconic top wine, Grange. First produced commercially in 1952, Grange has since gone on to become one of the world’s most famous fine wines. In 2001, the wine was listed as an Australian heritage icon.