Penfolds St Henri Shiraz

Penfolds St Henri Shiraz is one of Australia's most revered and distinctive red wines, celebrated for its remarkable purity, longevity and elegance. First released in the 1950s, it remains one of the great icons of Australian wine, standing proudly apart through a philosophy that prioritises fruit expression over oak influence. Crafted from premium South Australian vineyards and matured in large seasoned vats, St Henri delivers extraordinary complexity, refinement and cellaring potential while remaining unmistakably Penfolds.

Tasting Notes & Experience

An exquisite expression of pure Shiraz fruit, St Henri opens with captivating aromas of glossy black cherries, dark plums and violets layered with notes of liquorice, dried mint, savoury charcuterie and subtle spice. The palate is velvety and beautifully structured, revealing layers of blackberry, mulberry, dark chocolate and black olive tapenade. Fine graphite-like acidity and silk-textured tannins provide precision and balance, leading to an exceptionally long finish marked by cocoa, dark coffee, savoury spice and lingering mineral freshness. Sophisticated and restrained, it is a masterclass in Australian Shiraz.

Key Details

• Winery: Penfolds
• Varietal: Shiraz
• Region: South Australia, Australia
• Vintage: 2019
• ABV: 14%
• Volume: 750ml
• Other: Gluten-free, Vegan-friendly, Sustainable winegrowing

Craftsmanship & Story

Founded in 1844 by Dr Christopher Rawson Penfold and his wife Mary, Penfolds has become one of the world's most celebrated wine estates. While Grange may be its most famous label, St Henri occupies a unique and cherished place within the portfolio. Introduced during the 1950s, it was deliberately created as an alternative expression of Australian Shiraz that prioritised vineyard character and fruit purity over oak influence. Drawing fruit from premium vineyards across South Australia, St Henri showcases Penfolds' renowned multi-regional blending philosophy while maintaining a distinctive style that has captivated collectors and critics for more than seventy years.

Special Features

What truly distinguishes St Henri is its maturation regime. Rather than ageing in new oak barrels, the wine spends over a year in large, seasoned 1,460-litre oak vats that impart virtually no oak flavour. This historic technique allows the purity, structure and complexity of the fruit to take centre stage. Sourced from multiple premium South Australian regions, the wine combines richness, freshness and remarkable finesse while remaining faithful to a style that has barely changed for decades. Rich and plush in youth, St Henri develops extraordinary earthy, mocha and truffle-like complexity with extended cellaring, making it one of Australia's great long-lived red wines.

Recognition & Accolades

Penfolds St Henri continues to earn outstanding praise from leading international critics and publications, cementing its reputation as one of Australia's finest and most age-worthy Shiraz wines.

• 96 Points – Andrew Caillard MW, The Reserve Cellar (2020 vintage)
• 96 Points – Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion (2020 vintage)
• 95 Points – Wine Spectator (2020 vintage)
• 95 Points – Tina Gellie, Decanter (2020 vintage)
• 95 Points – Jamie Goode, Wine Anorak (2020 vintage)
• 19+/20 Points – Matthew Jukes (2020 vintage)
• 98/100 Points – Tony Love (2019 vintage)
• 19+/20 Points – Matthew Jukes (2019 vintage)
• 97/100 Points – Nick Stock, James Suckling (2019 vintage)
• 96+/100 Points – Erin Larkin, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2019 vintage)
• 96/100 Points – David Sly, Decanter Magazine (2019 vintage)
• 96/100 Points – Lisa Perrotti-Brown (2019 vintage)

These accolades reinforce St Henri's standing as one of Australia's most celebrated and enduring fine wine icons.

Food Pairings

The purity and savoury depth of St Henri Shiraz make it an exceptional companion to refined red meat dishes. A slow-roasted crown of lamb infused with rosemary and garlic beautifully complements the wine's silky tannins and layers of blackberry, plum and savoury spice. Equally rewarding alongside venison loin, chargrilled ribeye steak or duck breast with blackberry reduction, the wine's freshness and elegance bring harmony and balance to rich, flavourful cuisine.

For cheese lovers, mature hard cheeses such as aged Cheddar, Comté or Manchego reveal further layers of complexity within the wine. The combination of savoury richness, fine acidity and lingering spice creates a memorable dining experience worthy of this iconic Australian Shiraz.

Perfect for Gifting or Cellaring

Penfolds St Henri Shiraz is an outstanding gift for serious wine enthusiasts, collectors and lovers of fine Australian wine. Its iconic reputation, remarkable critical acclaim and proven ageing ability make it ideal for milestone celebrations, corporate gifting and premium wine collections. With careful cellaring, this legendary Shiraz will continue evolving beautifully for decades.

Fast, Secure NZ-Wide Delivery

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