1989 Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 750ml

Minor Label Stains/Damage

Overview

The 1989 Penfolds St Henri Shiraz is a mature old-vintage release of one of Penfolds' most distinctive red wines. St Henri is often seen as a counterpoint to Grange: a high-quality Australian Shiraz that does not depend on new oak power, instead focusing on fruit depth, savoury development and long bottle age.

Created in the mid-1950s, with the first commercial vintage released in 1957, St Henri gained renewed recognition in the 1990s as collectors better understood its distinctive style. When young it is rich and plush; with age, it develops soft, earthy, mocha-like complexity.

Vintage & Winemaking

St Henri is matured in large old vats that allow the wine to develop while imparting minimal oak character. The focal point is Shiraz, expressed in a more traditional, fruit-led and savoury style than many new-oak matured Australian reds.

The 1989 vintage has a reputation as a difficult and below-average year, yet this bottle has shown impressive resilience, with developed fruit, herb garden complexity and supple tannins.

Product Highlights

• Mature 1989 Penfolds St Henri Shiraz
• Historic Penfolds label first commercially released in 1957
• Traditional old-vat matured Shiraz style
• Counterpoint to Penfolds Grange
• Developed earthy, mocha and savoury character
• Old-vintage Australian Shiraz

Critic Scores & Reviews

94 points - Jeremy Oliver
Tasted January 2003. Drinking window: 2001-2009.

Tasting Notes

Colour: Medium-deep crimson.

Nose: Fresh red berry, earth, herb garden and tobacco aromas, with mature savoury development.

Palate: Fully developed, with attractive mid-palate richness, supple fine tannins and persistent fruit. The finish is chalky and firm, showing impressive structure and resilience for the vintage.

Food Pairing

Pair with roast lamb, braised beef, game meats, mushroom dishes or firm aged cheeses.

Cellaring Potential

This is a mature old-vintage bottle. Best enjoyed now, with bottle condition, provenance and storage history especially important at this age.

About Penfolds

Penfolds is one of Australia's most important wine producers, founded in 1844 and renowned for long-lived red wines. St Henri remains one of the great alternative expressions within the Penfolds portfolio, offering a traditional, fruit-driven and old-vat matured style of Shiraz.

Specifications

• Producer: Penfolds
• Wine: St Henri Shiraz
• Vintage: 1989
• Country: Australia
• Region: South Australia
• Grape Variety: Shiraz
• Wine Style: Red Wine
• Sweetness: Dry
• Maturation: Old large vats
• Bottle Size: 750ml