St Henri Shiraz 2020 Gift Box
Penfolds
St Henri Shiraz 2020 Gift Box
Overview
Overview
St Henri is a favourite among collectors with its proven style, elegant profile and aging potential. It is unusual amongst high quality Australian red wines as it does not rely on any new oak. In the 2020 release, explore a sweet and savoury palate – fresh blueberry, exotic spice and olive brine. A classic St Henri.
| Varietal | Shiraz |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Country | Australia |
| Region | Multi-Region Blend |
| Volume | 750 mL |
| Closure | Screw Cap |
| Alc/Vol | 14.5% |
| Peak Drinking | Now – 2050 |
Awards and Accolades
Awards and Accolades
| 19+/20 Points | Matthew Jukes |
| 96 Points | Andrew Caillard MW |
| 96 Points | Dave Brookes |
| 95 Points | Tina Gellie |
| 95 Points | Jamie Goode |
| 95 Points | Jeni Port |
| 95 Points | Ray Jordan |
| 17/20 Points | Jancis Robinson |
Matthew Jukes
"This is an awesome and statuesque St Henri with commanding tannins and a glossy, succulent indulgent and luxurious feel throughout. It has incredible weight and stunning balance and ripeness. I worry that people will drink it the moment it arrives on their doorstep because the fruit is so darned luxurious, but I can imagine that it will run for decades such is the class on display here. Drink 2025 – 2050. 14.5% alc – 19+ points"
Andrew Caillard MW
"Deep crimson. Fragrant inky, blackberry, graphite aromas with hints of roasted walnut, spice. Complex and evolved with blackberry, dark chocolate, tobacco leaf, chinotto flavours fine loose knit lacy chalky firm tannins, and underlying graphite, walnut notes. Finishes claret firm and tight. A refined style with lovely complexity and mineral length. Should develop very well. 100% Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, 12 months maturation in large seasoned oak vats. Drink 2025 – 2040. 14.5% alc – 96 points"
Dave Brookes
"St Henri has always been one of my favourite Penfolds wines. A multiregional shiraz aged for 12 months in large, old oak vats, I was always enamored with its less percussive attributes and proven lineage of cellar worthiness. Crimson with pure notes of plum compote, cherry clafoutis, roasting meats, earth, spice, ironstone, mocha, pan juices and the fainest wisp of wintergreen. It's such a comforting wine, with its unobstructed view of fruit and vintage, finishing savoury with powdery tannin grip and a dusting of cocoa powder and coal dust. Lovely stuff. Drink 2023 – 2045. 14.5% alc – 96 points"
Taste Description
Taste Description
Nose
The fruit profile is a delight, oak playing no role in the aromatics. Shiraz, unadulterated! The descriptors need to be coaxed from the glass with a gentle swirl. Fruits of the forest are first to emerge, berry conserve, strawberry flan and rhubarb tart. There is a hit of confectionary, reminiscent of red glace cherries. Savoury notes include German Blutwurst spiced sausage, pan scrapings from roast lamb and salt cured beef with black peppercorns. Ferric notes of iron filings and whetstone swarf round out an impressive showing.
Flavours and Palate
True to form, the palate is quite savoury. Japanese nori paper and olive brine offer a very morish umami nuance. Fresh blueberry and mulberry leaf anchor the core of the mid-palate. Exotic spices adding intrigue, Alleppey turmeric, toasted cumin, pimento. The tannins are very tactile, comparable to Dutch cocoa. A classic St Henri that will reward extended time in the cellar.
Viticulture Vintage & Winemaking
Viticulture Vintage & Winemaking
Vintage Conditions
The 2019 calendar year was the driest on record in the Barossa Valley, while the Clare Valley had the driest winter in 120 years. Clare Valley and Barossa Valley experienced frosts in September that also reduced yields. October was windy in Clare Valley which challenged fruit-set. The beginning of summer was marked by a state-wide heatwave. Cooler conditions in January and February provided some much welcome relief. McLaren Vale had above average rainfall in February, which ensured the vines were able to finish the remainder of the season in good shape. Bunch weights and berry numbers were low across the three regions with yields significantly below average. As is often the case, adversity and low yields can produce outstanding quality, and 2020 was no exception.
The Penfolds Team
Key to the success of Penfolds has been a lineage of visionary winemakers. There have only ever been four Chief Winemakers at the helm of Penfolds – Max Schubert, Don Ditter, John Duval and Peter Gago, each a custodian of a rich winemaking tradition that goes back for more than 170 years.
Our current Penfolds winemaking team has more than 100 years between them as Penfolds winemakers. They are constantly refining and improving their work, whilst honouring the winemaking techniques of their predecessors.