This is a nicely aged St Henri with a very crumbly cork which when finally extracted allowed deep cherry red wine with no browning to be poured. The nose has plenty of blackberry, dark cherries and some red fruit characters on the nose. The palate is elegant with a nice persistence of quite round and rich mid palate blackcurrant liqueur, and cherry confiture characters. There's a touch of cedar and tobacco on the finish and while the overall effect is not strikingly complex its a lovely pure expression of what I assume is largely Barossa shiraz.
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Expected this to be past it but was drinking far better than anticipated. Some aged notes but fruit still present. Not a great St Henri but still a good one.
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Started out dry and harsh, but fruit was lurking in the nose and palate. After 3 hours bottle breathing... blackberry, smoked meat, mineral, savory Still chewy, but in a richer enjoyable palate. Definitely into a secondary drinking window. but then after 5 hours, the fruit is fighting back.... palate lush with aniseed, cranberry. Nose richer with Dark fruit. Very good wine, with airing time...
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Big ripe fruit manages to dodge the sappiness that plagues so many Aussies. Boysenberries, sweet roasted tomatoes and a hint of sage put on a great show at a tasting of mostly French syrahs. Quite a feat.
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Asperger Wine Syndrome Tasting Group: X-Mas tasting (Private Location): A new one for me. I´m not experienced with Aussie Shiraz in any way, but I expected a even broader wine although this Penfold isn´t a lightweight. Lots of black and red fruit mixed with some black pepper and other spices on the nose. Fruit also dominates the palate but the wine isn´t fat or overdone. The acidity is super fresh here. Very good to drink.
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Asperg Wine Syndrome Tasting Group: X-Mas Tasting: Decanted for about 1h. Clear, medium-deep ruby color with purple reflexes. Clean, medium intense, developing classic Shiraz nose: Spices, lots of dark fruit (blackberry), mint, leather. Surprisingly cool and not too perfumed or broad. Dry with some extract sweetness. Medium+ well integrated acidity that gives this wine a rather fresh backbone besides its high alcohol of 14,5% abv. On the palate classical Aussie Shiraz with lots of nice dark fruit, spiciness. Uncomplicated, joyful to drink and not as broad/fat as expected. Has several of further development ahead. 91-92. PQR is questionable considering much more complex Shiraz (Rockford/Glaetzer) in the same price range.
Deep ruby colour, some garnet and discolouration around the rim. Medium+ intensity on the nose. Fresh, leafy and vibrant with a hint of violet. Plums and strawberry, a little pepper and liquorice. On the palate, medium+ body and flavour intensity with warm, cherry fruit flavours. Tastes perhaps a little hot, lacking a little of the freshness of the nose. Medium+ finish. Very good.
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Appearance: Bright and clear, this wine is of deep ruby color, with legs. Nose: Clean, the nose shows medium (+) intensity aromas of black fruit such as ripe cassis and blackberry, dried fruit of prune and fig, sweet spice of cinnamon and nutmeg, some herbal notes of mint, maturity notes of savory, animal notes of leather, kernel notes of mocha. The wine is developing. Palate: Dry with medium acidity, medium (+) tannin of ripe and velvety texture, the wine has medium (+) alcohol, and is of full body with medium (+) intensity flavors of black fruit such as ripe blackberry and cassis, sweet spice of nutmeg, herbal notes of mint, kernel notes of mocha. The wine has a medium finish. Conclusion: Very good quality Australian shiraz, showing ample of fruit and spice characters on both nose and palate. The wine has a smooth and robust texture, with strong intense nose and good complexity on the nose, but the palate did not overpower one with the heady alcohol and strong peppery notes that many shiraz bring, but instead offer an elegant profile. With good concentration on palate, the only disappointing element is the mediocre finish. Ready to drink now and can further develop for another 3-5 years.
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This is a classic, punchy full bodied Shiraz. Clear, deep purple core. Strong aromas of plum and blueberry. On the palate the fruit remains dominant -albeit clean- revealing layers of cassis and currant, as well some earthy and tar notes. The tannins are pleasantly robust and well integrated. Soft texture and good overall balance. Medium to long finish. Drinking nicely now and will last for another 5 years.
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Not as bold or laden with fruit as the typical St Henri, reflective of a very wet vintage. Deep crimson red no hint of purple. Light body and palate lacking the full, ripe grippy tannins of the 02, 04 or 06 vintages. Has pedigree but sadly doesn't deliver the full flavour.
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Set sit in the glass a couple hours before tasting. A little subtle bricking on the rim, otherwise quite dark. Dried currants and hints of prune, with a strong roasted coffee character that carried though on he palate(almost mercaptan like?). Palate with more roasted fruit character, but had a little acidity that added freshness, coffee and chocolate. Moderate length on the finish, tar, spice, and dried dark fruit with hints of cassis. With some time in the glass this shows a more savory side, but the roasted flavors persist. Just shows the character of a tough year, rather than being flawed (I think). This did show a little better on night two with more integration of oak and cleaner liquor-like fruit profile.
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Dark purple velvet color. Nice dusty nose, liquid reddish purple fruit. Love these wines. The feel is so smooth with the old oak and lush, sexy style. Great full palate, dried herbs, strawberry & current, then blackberries in the mid palate. Nice finish, lingers and big second wave. Not as good as the late 08"s and 01.
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Light purple. Dried herbs & just plain dusty tall grass. Fruit there, reddish ones and dried leather. Big fruit fills the palate, complex, carries on to the finish with lush red fruit. Yum. Well made wine. Not an new world style fruit bomb.
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This is a big, bold, hearty wine. But, there is none of that sweet vanilla oakiness that usually accompanies many wines at this price. Instead we have a wine that is nearly black in color, has fragrant dark fruit aromas, and finishes with a herbal, tough, and tannic edge. Lots of sediment, decant. Outstanding.
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It is big on the nose with lots of fruits... black berry, black currant and some spice. It gave a structured mouth fill, with complex fruits of berries, currants and peppery spice on palate. Medium to full bodied, firm tannins and long finishing. I can't sense much the Oak influence and that make it so unique and interesting.
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Was very tight after being open for about two hours. Into the big glasses and had a round at the 2H mark. Very tight, dry tannins, excellent mouth feel. Not much in the way of fruit or interesting flavours - perhaps cedar wood, dusty - nose showed lots of alcohol but there seemed to be potential -- as it did not cause you to wonder what bucket of chemicals was added to make it taste this way, nor did it present as oxidised - and potential there was.
Waited another two hours or so and some pepper, herbs, liquorice, the wood had dropped heaps, the tannins were not so much in your face, but could be felt for a minute or two afterwards.
Not a bad drop, but not one of the best St Henri's out there - if you don't have good cellaring conditions get into it *NOW*, the perfect cellar, it should go another 5 or so tops.
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Drank half bottle at local pan-Asian wine restaurant. Wow. Decanted and drank over a 2 and a half hour period. Tight tight tight at first, but slowly opened up to that magnificently stinky old school Rhone style, very much like a Cornas. Powerful nose of eucalyptus at first, that unfolded into complex notes of coffee, licorice, and cocoa. Slightly overrripe blackberry mixed with bloody meat (and I am saying this as a positive) and smoke on the palate. Will probably continue to drink this until it runs out whenever there in the future.
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Decanted but only allowed to sit for 30 mins. Tight, tannic, chalky-dry and precious little fruit. Is there any? This is in the low 80's. Then poured through a vinturi to simlulate greater decant time and provide more aeration, and the tannins soften and the wine becomes more approachable. No longer so dry that you want to have a sip of water after drinking a sip of wine. Can now discern flavors, like pepper and herbs, and a slight alcohol burn, but still not much in the way of fruit. Based on my experience I'd guess that this will improve in a year or three, but if you must drink now give it lots of decant time.
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Deep purple crimson with spicey aromas of darkfruit and citrus. Full nectar with sturdy tannins and squeaky acidity. Big and oaky with flavors of blackfruit, currant, and citrus. Finishes dry at medium length. Give this one another few years in the cellar.
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Partnered steak au poivre and baked potato. Obviously still too young to drink. But very polished. Lots of cassis, creosote and liqorice on the nose and in the mouth tannins too firm yet but a very well balanced. Reminds me of a good youthful CDP.
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2/12/2023 - Johnnymaher Likes this wine: 94 Points
Spot on
Well received
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9/12/2021 - Mikeh89 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Drinking absolutely magically
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8/5/2021 - drjb Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is a nicely aged St Henri with a very crumbly cork which when finally extracted allowed deep cherry red wine with no browning to be poured. The nose has plenty of blackberry, dark cherries and some red fruit characters on the nose. The palate is elegant with a nice persistence of quite round and rich mid palate blackcurrant liqueur, and cherry confiture characters. There's a touch of cedar and tobacco on the finish and while the overall effect is not strikingly complex its a lovely pure expression of what I assume is largely Barossa shiraz.
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6/13/2021 - brisbane piefan Likes this wine: 94 Points
Expected this to be past it but was drinking far better than anticipated. Some aged notes but fruit still present. Not a great St Henri but still a good one.
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8/23/2019 - ShirazTrain wrote: 94 Points
Started out dry and harsh, but fruit was lurking in the nose and palate.
After 3 hours bottle breathing...
blackberry, smoked meat, mineral, savory
Still chewy, but in a richer enjoyable palate.
Definitely into a secondary drinking window.
but then after 5 hours, the fruit is fighting back....
palate lush with aniseed, cranberry. Nose richer with Dark fruit.
Very good wine, with airing time...
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11/14/2018 - Neecies Likes this wine:
Big ripe fruit manages to dodge the sappiness that plagues so many Aussies. Boysenberries, sweet roasted tomatoes and a hint of sage put on a great show at a tasting of mostly French syrahs. Quite a feat.
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12/29/2017 - m_arcon wrote: 91 Points
Asperger Wine Syndrome Tasting Group: X-Mas tasting (Private Location): A new one for me. I´m not experienced with Aussie Shiraz in any way, but I expected a even broader wine although this Penfold isn´t a lightweight. Lots of black and red fruit mixed with some black pepper and other spices on the nose.
Fruit also dominates the palate but the wine isn´t fat or overdone. The acidity is super fresh here. Very good to drink.
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12/29/2017 - NoTrollingerPlease wrote: 91 Points
Asperg Wine Syndrome Tasting Group: X-Mas Tasting: Decanted for about 1h. Clear, medium-deep ruby color with purple reflexes. Clean, medium intense, developing classic Shiraz nose: Spices, lots of dark fruit (blackberry), mint, leather. Surprisingly cool and not too perfumed or broad.
Dry with some extract sweetness. Medium+ well integrated acidity that gives this wine a rather fresh backbone besides its high alcohol of 14,5% abv. On the palate classical Aussie Shiraz with lots of nice dark fruit, spiciness. Uncomplicated, joyful to drink and not as broad/fat as expected. Has several of further development ahead. 91-92. PQR is questionable considering much more complex Shiraz (Rockford/Glaetzer) in the same price range.
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10/24/2014 - RaggaMat Likes this wine: 89 Points
Tried at a group tasting:
Deep ruby colour, some garnet and discolouration around the rim. Medium+ intensity on the nose. Fresh, leafy and vibrant with a hint of violet. Plums and strawberry, a little pepper and liquorice. On the palate, medium+ body and flavour intensity with warm, cherry fruit flavours. Tastes perhaps a little hot, lacking a little of the freshness of the nose. Medium+ finish. Very good.
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11/10/2013 - peterchoy wrote: 92 Points
Appearance: Bright and clear, this wine is of deep ruby color, with legs.
Nose: Clean, the nose shows medium (+) intensity aromas of black fruit such as ripe cassis and blackberry, dried fruit of prune and fig, sweet spice of cinnamon and nutmeg, some herbal notes of mint, maturity notes of savory, animal notes of leather, kernel notes of mocha. The wine is developing.
Palate: Dry with medium acidity, medium (+) tannin of ripe and velvety texture, the wine has medium (+) alcohol, and is of full body with medium (+) intensity flavors of black fruit such as ripe blackberry and cassis, sweet spice of nutmeg, herbal notes of mint, kernel notes of mocha. The wine has a medium finish.
Conclusion: Very good quality Australian shiraz, showing ample of fruit and spice characters on both nose and palate. The wine has a smooth and robust texture, with strong intense nose and good complexity on the nose, but the palate did not overpower one with the heady alcohol and strong peppery notes that many shiraz bring, but instead offer an elegant profile. With good concentration on palate, the only disappointing element is the mediocre finish. Ready to drink now and can further develop for another 3-5 years.
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10/21/2013 - Wineguy76 Likes this wine: 90 Points
This is a classic, punchy full bodied Shiraz. Clear, deep purple core. Strong aromas of plum and blueberry. On the palate the fruit remains dominant -albeit clean- revealing layers of cassis and currant, as well some earthy and tar notes. The tannins are pleasantly robust and well integrated. Soft texture and good overall balance. Medium to long finish. Drinking nicely now and will last for another 5 years.
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9/13/2013 - rglarking@internode.on.net Likes this wine: 91 Points
Loved it!
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1/12/2013 - cshall wrote: 93 Points
Quality wine but to be honest there is benefit from a few more years in the cellar. A bit disappointed to drink...but was a smooth wine.
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11/9/2012 - MyCellar01 wrote: 91 Points
Not as bold or laden with fruit as the typical St Henri, reflective of a very wet vintage.
Deep crimson red no hint of purple.
Light body and palate lacking the full, ripe grippy tannins of the 02, 04 or 06 vintages.
Has pedigree but sadly doesn't deliver the full flavour.
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5/26/2012 - Nutty08 wrote: 87 Points
Set sit in the glass a couple hours before tasting. A little subtle bricking on the rim, otherwise quite dark. Dried currants and hints of prune, with a strong roasted coffee character that carried though on he palate(almost mercaptan like?). Palate with more roasted fruit character, but had a little acidity that added freshness, coffee and chocolate. Moderate length on the finish, tar, spice, and dried dark fruit with hints of cassis. With some time in the glass this shows a more savory side, but the roasted flavors persist. Just shows the character of a tough year, rather than being flawed (I think).
This did show a little better on night two with more integration of oak and cleaner liquor-like fruit profile.
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11/8/2011 - khmark7 wrote: 88 Points
Exciting aromas with a rough and somewhat agressive palate that is still otherwise pleasant. Nice pairing with beef. Finish is short and average.
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7/21/2010 - vinfloyd wrote: 92 Points
Rich inky color, dark fruit bouquet,Rich dark fruit, spice and firm tannins that have obviously softened some degree with age.
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2/28/2010 - jbengtsson wrote: 89 Points
Excellent
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1/7/2010 - tplskylrk wrote: 91 Points
Dark purple velvet color. Nice dusty nose, liquid reddish purple fruit. Love these wines. The feel is so smooth with the old oak and lush, sexy style. Great full palate, dried herbs, strawberry & current, then blackberries in the mid palate. Nice finish, lingers and big second wave. Not as good as the late 08"s and 01.
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12/31/2009 - tplskylrk wrote: 91 Points
Light purple. Dried herbs & just plain dusty tall grass. Fruit there, reddish ones and dried leather. Big fruit fills the palate, complex, carries on to the finish with lush red fruit. Yum. Well made wine. Not an new world style fruit bomb.
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12/10/2009 - wineotim wrote: 92 Points
This is a big, bold, hearty wine. But, there is none of that sweet vanilla oakiness that usually accompanies many wines at this price. Instead we have a wine that is nearly black in color, has fragrant dark fruit aromas, and finishes with a herbal, tough, and tannic edge. Lots of sediment, decant. Outstanding.
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11/5/2009 - hkm520240 wrote: 91 Points
It is big on the nose with lots of fruits... black berry, black currant and some spice. It gave a structured mouth fill, with complex fruits of berries, currants and peppery spice on palate. Medium to full bodied, firm tannins and long finishing. I can't sense much the Oak influence and that make it so unique and interesting.
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5/3/2009 - malliemcg wrote: 90 Points
Needs lots of decant time and a nice big glass.
Was very tight after being open for about two hours. Into the big glasses and had a round at the 2H mark. Very tight, dry tannins, excellent mouth feel. Not much in the way of fruit or interesting flavours - perhaps cedar wood, dusty - nose showed lots of alcohol but there seemed to be potential -- as it did not cause you to wonder what bucket of chemicals was added to make it taste this way, nor did it present as oxidised - and potential there was.
Waited another two hours or so and some pepper, herbs, liquorice, the wood had dropped heaps, the tannins were not so much in your face, but could be felt for a minute or two afterwards.
Not a bad drop, but not one of the best St Henri's out there - if you don't have good cellaring conditions get into it *NOW*, the perfect cellar, it should go another 5 or so tops.
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4/8/2009 - ProfessorHTF wrote: 90 Points
Drank half bottle at local pan-Asian wine restaurant. Wow. Decanted and drank over a 2 and a half hour period. Tight tight tight at first, but slowly opened up to that magnificently stinky old school Rhone style, very much like a Cornas. Powerful nose of eucalyptus at first, that unfolded into complex notes of coffee, licorice, and cocoa. Slightly overrripe blackberry mixed with bloody meat (and I am saying this as a positive) and smoke on the palate. Will probably continue to drink this until it runs out whenever there in the future.
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11/6/2008 - davidandrose wrote: 86 Points
Decanted but only allowed to sit for 30 mins. Tight, tannic, chalky-dry and precious little fruit. Is there any? This is in the low 80's. Then poured through a vinturi to simlulate greater decant time and provide more aeration, and the tannins soften and the wine becomes more approachable. No longer so dry that you want to have a sip of water after drinking a sip of wine. Can now discern flavors, like pepper and herbs, and a slight alcohol burn, but still not much in the way of fruit. Based on my experience I'd guess that this will improve in a year or three, but if you must drink now give it lots of decant time.
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1/20/2008 - GreatLibations wrote: 87 Points
Deep purple crimson with spicey aromas of darkfruit and citrus. Full nectar with sturdy tannins and squeaky acidity. Big and oaky with flavors of blackfruit, currant, and citrus. Finishes dry at medium length. Give this one another few years in the cellar.
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10/11/2006 - Rainmaker wrote: 86 Points
Partnered steak au poivre and baked potato. Obviously still too young to drink. But very polished. Lots of cassis, creosote and liqorice on the nose and in the mouth tannins too firm yet but a very well balanced. Reminds me of a good youthful CDP.
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