Very high shoulder, minor label stain/s
Penfolds St Henri is one of Australia’s most distinctive fine wines. First crafted in the early 1950s, St Henri has always stood apart from other premium Shiraz due to its maturation in large, seasoned oak vats rather than new oak barrels. This unique approach highlights fruit purity, savoury complexity, and long-term elegance.
Vineyard
The 1986 vintage was sourced from a selection of Penfolds’ best South Australian vineyard sites, including Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and Coonawarra. This multi-regional philosophy ensures depth, complexity, and balance while showcasing regional nuances of Shiraz.
Vintage
1986 was an outstanding vintage across South Australia, widely recognised for producing powerful, structured, and long-lived wines. For St Henri, this meant a wine of concentration, richness, and remarkable age-worthiness. Nearly four decades later, the 1986 vintage is regarded as one of the classic St Henri releases.
Tasting Notes
The 1986 St Henri pours a deep brick-red with garnet reflections, typical of mature Shiraz. The bouquet is layered and complex—dark cherry, plum, and blackberry interwoven with leather, tobacco, earthy spice, and subtle licorice. On the palate, it is full-bodied and savoury, with softened tannins, lingering black fruit, and hints of mocha and truffle. The finish is long, velvety, and deeply satisfying, reflecting both the strength of the vintage and the elegance of the St Henri style.
Critics’ Acclaim
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94 points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
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95 points – James Halliday
Celebrated for its richness, complexity, and longevity, the 1986 has cemented itself as a benchmark St Henri vintage.
Technical Information
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Region: Multi-regional South Australia
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Variety: Shiraz (with a small amount of Cabernet in some vintages)
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Alcohol: ~13.5%
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Maturation: 18 months in large seasoned oak vats
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Closure: Cork
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Drinking Window: 1995–2030+ (still drinking with elegance if well cellared)
A Collectible Gem
The 1986 Penfolds St Henri Shiraz is a legendary vintage in the St Henri lineage. Combining power, savoury depth, and graceful maturity, it is a must-have for collectors of classic Australian Shiraz and an exceptional piece of Penfolds’ winemaking heritage.
