Wine Spectator:  Rated as a Classic - a great wine."Aromatic, complex and silky, slipping in its gorgeous blackberry, currant and plum fruit against a seething background of toast, spice, mineral and loamy earth. The texture is seamless, and the flavors just take off, sailing through the long, expressive finish."  Sep 2009

James Halliday:  Rated as Outstanding - Wine of the highest quality. "A substantial wine in all respects, with more richness and mouthfeel than many of the 1980s and '90s; the array of black fruits with a twist of cassis is perfectly balanced, as is the oak and tannin support."

Winery:  "Colour:  Dark garnet with a deep core. Nose:  Floral, perfumed, fresh.  Nutmeg / cinnamon and mixed spices are laced with glaceed (Cointreau-like) citrus fruits. Subtle praline & liquorice trail on the finish.  Palate:  Medium to full-bodied with an acid/tannin conveyance propelling flavour to the back-palate. Balanced yet taut, with a continuum of flavours - sarsaparilla, beetroot, lemon, blackcurrant. Nutmeg, red liquorice & pomegranate jump to the fore while juniper, bay leaf linger on the finish. Lot's happening! The finish? Lacy tannins.  No oak.  Drinking well upon release, yet this will cellar - as per its template (2015-2030).

Penfolds St Henri is a highly successful and alternative expression of Shiraz and an intriguing counterpoint to the Grange. It is unusual among high quality Australian red wines as it does not rely on any new oak. It was created in the early 1950s (first commercial vintage 1957) and gained a new lease of life in the 1990s as its quality and distinctive style became better understood. St Henri is rich and plush when young, gaining soft, earthy, mocha-like characters as it ages. It is matured in old, 1460-litre vats that allow the wine to develop, imparting minimal, if any oak character. Although a small proportion of Cabernet is sometimes used to improve structure, the focal point for St Henri remains Shiraz."

Wired For Wine:  The Penfolds St. Henri Shiraz is an archetypal Aussie red which will compel you to fill your glass again and again. The deep, dark fruit combines with the sultry spice notes to begin the seduction, and then the perfectly balanced complexity and silky tannins carry you to that memorably long, expressive finish. This gem from Down Under is perfect with barbecue, grilled meats, sausage and tuna. The delicious fruit and spice in the wine allow it to pair effortlessly with barbecue sauce, so it's the answer to our endless quest for a reason to make spareribs... We love this Penfolds with grilled lamb chops too. Give a nod to the earthy side of the St. Henri and serve them with a medley of sauteed wild mushrooms. Looking for something simple? How about a grilled tuna burger on a toasted bun? Don't forget the ginger "ketchup"... You won't want the meal to end just because the entree is over, so open another bottle and enjoy it with the stout mountain flavors of a Swiss Val Bagner cheese. Start pouring winelovers!
 
Size:  750 ml
Varietal:  90% Shiraz, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Alcohol:  14.0%
Barrel aging:  16 months in large, old oak vats.
Region:  Barossa Valley, Langhorne Creek, Padthaway, Clare, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, Coonawarra, Australia
Imported:  1,000 dozen