Awards, Ratings & Reviews
94/100 — Falstaff · 2011 Vintage · Tasted: Mar 2015
“Dark ruby garnet with purple reflections and a touch of brightening at the rim. Ripe heart cherries and plum fruit on the nose, as well as a hint of black olives, Valrhona chocolate and candied violets in the background. A juicy palate that seems very harmonious and polished thanks to elegant tannins - seems almost light on its feet, mineral and persistent. Aged in large wooden barrels. Certain ageing potential.”
93/100 — The Wine Front · 2011 Vintage
92/100 — CellarTracker · 2011 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.
With above-average winter rainfalls and cool conditions during spring, South Australian regions experienced a later budburst and varying disease pressures across the state.
Meticulous vineyard management was critical. Multiple rain events required selective harvesting of pristine fruit, while lower baumés at harvest coincided with flavour development. With a focus on warmer regions, McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley fruit sourcing prevailed, while a small addition of Adelaide Hills fruit provided heightened aromatics.
Producer Notes
Colour: Deep plum red.
Nose: Vibrant. Charcuterie offerings arise – a myriad of cold meats, pan-juices/reductions. Red-curranted fruits morph into bluer expressions with air and time. Cooler-year varietal notes – crushed pepper, cinnamon, green olive.
Palate: An impressive linear structure – tightly bound, with significant length. Boysenberry and cranberry red fruits at ease with green olive and green melon. Granular (Gravox-like) tannins, praline, nutmeg and other spices coax and unravel its St Henri textural tapestry. Shiraz, adorned differently!
Specifications
- Vintage: 2011
- Grape Variety: 100% Shiraz
- Region: McLaren Vale / Barossa Valley / Adelaide Hills / South Australia / Australia
- Maturation: 12 months in 50+ year old large oak vats
- Production Attributes: Lightly Oaked
- Alcohol: 14.5%
- Sweetness: Dry
- Residual Sugar: 0 g/L
- Acidity TA: 6.6 g/L
- Acidity pH: 3.65
- Winemaker: Peter Gago
- Ownership: Treasury Wine Estates
- Closure: Screwcap
- Drinking Window: 2016-2035
