Penfolds St Henri 2019

99 POINTS

James Suckling

A great St. Henri and, although multi-regional, this is very much a wine that speaks of the Barossa Valley, with aromas of ripe blackberries and red plums that are so fresh, together with tobacco, young-leather, earth, chocolate, coal-smoke and tarry accents. Effortless depth on the palate with summer berries, framed in fine, alabaster-like tannins that are underscored with discreet power. So long and captivating. A blend of Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Port Lincoln, Robe, Padthaway, Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills. Drink over the next decade or more.

98 POINTS

Tony Love - Winepilot

This can only ever be a stylistic expression of the shiraz variety, as sourcing from six SA districts eliminates regionality. (For the record, The Peninsulas is a defined GI region, this fruit coming from the outskirts of Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula). The wine’s point of difference within the Penfolds range is that it has no new oak maturation and spends only 12 months in large format seasoned vats. The result is a sophisticated, dark, almost mysterious shiraz, a wine with secrets within that one suspects will reveal great joys over the next 20 to 30 years, as its forebears have proved for more than half a century. For now, in and around the black fruits there are flint, mushroom, licorice and roast meat notes. Plenty to unpack. A serious SA shiraz that remains a really enticing proposition.

97 POINTS

Peter Moser - Falstaff

Dark ruby with purple reflections and with subtle ochre brightening on the rim. Very attractive aromas of dark berries with hints of eucalyptus and bergamot, sweet blackberries, nougat and candied tangerine zest. A powerful, juicy and complex wine on the palate with freshness and fine, ripe tannins and delicate lemony notes on the finish. A great food companion. Already approachable but with plenty of potential. Drink now - 2050.

97 POINTS

James Suckling

Immediately spicy and complex, this has a rich blackberry and dark-plum nose, together with dark-chocolate and tarry, earthy elements. The palate has a very rich, fleshy feel with such ripe dark-plum, dark-chocolate, blackberry and mulberry flavors on offer. Generous, yet balanced. A South Australian blend of McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Padthaway, Wrattonbully and The Peninsulas.

97 POINTS

Falstaff

Dark ruby, purple reflections, subtle ochre rim brightening. Fine dark berries, a hint of eucalyptus and bergamot, sweet black berries, nougat, very attractive bouquet, candied mandarin zest. Juicy, complex, finely spiced, good freshness, powerful, with fine, ripe tannins, lemon delicate aspects on the finish, already gluggable, a great food companion with staying power. (now - 2050).

96 POINTS

Erin Larkin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The St Henri Shiraz is often one of my favorite reds in the Penfolds Collection, due to the ability of the fruit to shine through the fine sheath of oak that encases it. At this stage, and I know you will hear this often, the wine still represents good value. The 2019 St Henri Shiraz is elegantly structured, with the 2019 vintage showing the warmth and intensity without overstepping balance or line. Texturally, this will only increase in its silky shape, which comes with the gentle suggestion to decant this if you insist on drinking it within five years from harvest (i.e., anytime from now to 2024). This 2019 is shaped by abundant red and purple fruit (and a splash of blue), charry spice and fine tannins. Gorgeous.

96 POINTS

David Sly - Decanter

So much comfort comes from each sip of this graceful, understated Shiraz, boasting a meld of all the essential elements: bright, crunchy fruit freshness and satisfying savoury grip, all bound together in an intriguing textural tussle. There’s much to contemplate, with olive, plum, mulberry, cocoa and cranberry all rolling and pitching on a king tide in the mid-palate. Such a luxurious sum of the parts makes you want to dive in for more. Released at A$135/bottle.

96 POINTS

Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front

Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2019. Grown in the McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Padthaway, Wrattonbully and ‘The Peninsulas’ regions. 12 months in large seasoned oak vats. I’m loving the tannin on this release, the long minerally-flourish of the finish, the subtle mocha notes in there with the cherries and boysenberries and plums. There’s dry/roasted spice here and a good deal of it. Classic St Henri release, studded with fennel, perfumed, unhurried, lengthy, complete.