Awards, Ratings & Reviews
SILVER (BEST IN CLASS) — International Wine & Spirit Competition · 2008
BRONZE — International Wine Challenge · 2008
“Full red colour, with clean red berry aromas, and a savoury, juicy mid-palate.”
97/100 — Decanter · 2004 Vintage · Tasted: Nov 2018
Drinking Window: 2018 to 2038
96/100 — Jeremy Oliver · 2004 Vintage · Tasted: Jan 2005
Drinking Window: 2024 to 2034
96/100 — The Wine Front · 2004 Vintage
About This Wine
Penfolds St Henri is a multi-regional South Australian blend, primarily based on Shiraz, although it still honours the original style.
The wine is matured in seasoned large oak vats for around 15 to 18 months before bottling.
St Henri Shiraz possesses a unique stature in the story of Australian wine. With its proven style and aging potential, it is a favourite among Penfolds collectors.
Above-average winter rainfall led into a promising vintage, characterised by mild conditions up until February, followed by hot weather conditions throughout March and April.
Penfolds' South Australian vineyards fared well, producing wines of elegance and intensity.
Producer Notes
Colour: Dense, dark red with a very dark core.
Nose: The bouquet is intense, dense and spicy - notes of nutmeg, lavender, rosemary and musk with evocative wafts of black and red liquorice arising. Some floral aromas are present, although assorted fruits dominate with glazed cherries, prune (fruitcake mixture) to the fore. Close inspection reveals aged pipe tobacco and roasted lamb juice and quince complexities.
Palate: The palate is, in a word, exceptional! Everything demanded of a top-notch St. Henri palate is delivered. The ripe, rounded and finely textured tannins, courted by vibrant (zingy) acidity, certainly induce a youthful disposition. Medium-dark cherry fruits are complexed by cold roasted lamb and black pudding flavours - layered and dense. The penultimate Penfolds red wine to be released from the 2004 vintage.
Specifications
- Vintage: 2004
- Grape Variety: 96% Shiraz & 4% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Region: Barossa Valley / Langhorne Creek / Adelaide Hills / South Australia / Australia
- Maturation: 16 months in large, old oak vats
- Production Attributes: Lightly Oaked
- Alcohol: 14.5%
- Sweetness: Dry
- Residual Sugar: 0 g/L
- Acidity TA: 6.7 g/L
- Acidity pH: 3.52
- Winemaker: Peter Gago
- Ownership: Treasury Wine Estates
- Closure: Screwcap
- Drinking Window: 2008-2038
