2008 Penfolds Shiraz St. Henri
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Tasting notes
91% Shiraz, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon. From Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek and Adelaide Hills, Wrattonbully, Clare Valley. Same winemaking as for the 2019. Deep garnet. Starting to open up with eucalyptus and blackberry. Charry, too, even though it is aged in big old oak. Juicy on the palate, fresh, the tannins grainy but now almost resolved. Shows how much time this wine needs. (JH)
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
91% Shiraz, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon. Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek, Adelaide Hills. Tremendous vibrancy on the nose, totally intoxicating and striking on the nose. On the palate it’s a bit lighter than expected, in fact. The tannic structure still gives plenty of heft to the palate, and the fruit intensity is superbly persistent. One of the most impressive St Henris I’ve tasted. (RH)
9% Cabernet Sauvignon. Some Wrattonbully fruit. Extremely dark crimson. Intense warm but fresh minerals on the nose. Complete with great balance. Dense and savoury. Admirable restraint. (JR)
Saturated ruby. Deeply pitched dark berry and cherry aromas are complemented by notes of cola, licorice and mocha, with a vanilla undertone. Plush and expansive, offering sweet blackcurrant and cherry-vanilla flavors that become smokier and spicier with air. Closes with impressive power, gentle tannic grip and sweet persistence.
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.