Savoury complexity, deep fruit and finely woven structure define the Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2023. St Henri is a time-honoured alternative expression of Australian Shiraz and was conceived as an intriguing counterpoint to the more oak-driven style of Penfolds Grange. First commercially released from the 1957 vintage, it remains unusual among Australia’s most celebrated red wines because it does not rely on new oak. Instead, the wine is matured in large, seasoned oak vats that allow its fruit, tannins and regional character to develop with minimal overt oak influence. The 2023 release is made from Shiraz sourced across McLaren Vale, the Barossa Valley, Frankland River, Port Lincoln and Padthaway. The inclusion of Frankland River fruit from Western Australia demonstrates the value of Penfolds’ multi-regional blending philosophy during a particularly cool and challenging growing season.
The season was influenced by cool and wet La Niña conditions, with above-average winter and early-spring rainfall providing substantial soil-moisture reserves. Persistent cloud cover and reduced heat accumulation extended the growing cycle, while cool and unsettled flowering conditions contributed to variable fruit set and lower yields in many Shiraz vineyards. Summer remained relatively mild, with limited extreme heat allowing the grapes to ripen slowly while retaining freshness and structural definition. The wine was matured for 12 months in large, seasoned oak vats, preserving the traditional St Henri emphasis on fruit rather than new-oak character. Black at its core with a vivid purple rim, it opens with brooding black and blue fruits, dark spices, roasted coffee, wet steel, ironstone and flinty mineral notes. More complex aromatic details of fresh nettle, oolong tea, goji berry and herbal apothecary notes emerge with air. The palate is juicy and generous yet firmly structured, combining deep dark fruit with rare-steak savouriness, olive brine, Chinese tea, fennel and liquorice. Tight, finely woven tannins extend the wine through a long, detailed and authoritative finish. Penfolds recommends drinking the wine from release through 2050, reflecting its depth, balance and considerable potential for development in bottle.
Savoury complexity, deep fruit and finely woven structure define the Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2023. St Henri is a time-honoured alternative expression of Australian Shiraz and was conceived as an intriguing counterpoint to the more oak-driven style of Penfolds Grange. First commercially released from the 1957 vintage, it remains unusual among Australia’s most celebrated red wines because it does not rely on new oak. Instead, the wine is matured in large, seasoned oak vats that allow its fruit, tannins and regional character to develop with minimal overt oak influence. The 2023 release is made from Shiraz sourced across McLaren Vale, the Barossa Valley, Frankland River, Port Lincoln and Padthaway. The inclusion of Frankland River fruit from Western Australia demonstrates the value of Penfolds’ multi-regional blending philosophy during a particularly cool and challenging growing season.
The season was influenced by cool and wet La Niña conditions, with above-average winter and early-spring rainfall providing substantial soil-moisture reserves. Persistent cloud cover and reduced heat accumulation extended the growing cycle, while cool and unsettled flowering conditions contributed to variable fruit set and lower yields in many Shiraz vineyards. Summer remained relatively mild, with limited extreme heat allowing the grapes to ripen slowly while retaining freshness and structural definition. The wine was matured for 12 months in large, seasoned oak vats, preserving the traditional St Henri emphasis on fruit rather than new-oak character. Black at its core with a vivid purple rim, it opens with brooding black and blue fruits, dark spices, roasted coffee, wet steel, ironstone and flinty mineral notes. More complex aromatic details of fresh nettle, oolong tea, goji berry and herbal apothecary notes emerge with air. The palate is juicy and generous yet firmly structured, combining deep dark fruit with rare-steak savouriness, olive brine, Chinese tea, fennel and liquorice. Tight, finely woven tannins extend the wine through a long, detailed and authoritative finish. Penfolds recommends drinking the wine from release through 2050, reflecting its depth, balance and considerable potential for development in bottle.
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