Region: South Australia
Varieties: 96% Shiraz, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon
Country: Australia
Vintage: 2014
Style: Dry red
Format: 750 mL
The Wine
St Henri has had its own place in the Penfolds range since its first commercial vintage in 1957. Its defining feature is the cellar treatment. The 2014 spent 12 months in large oak vats more than 50 years old. At around 1,460 litres, these old vessels let the wine develop with very little oak flavour, leaving the fruit and tannin to set the shape.
The blend draws on the Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills, Southern Fleurieu, Wrattonbully and McLaren Vale. Cabernet Sauvignon makes up just 4%, adding a little firmness to the Shiraz. The season turned in mid-February: rain broke the summer heat and gave the grapes a slower run to harvest, with brightness as well as ripeness.
Penfolds’ release notes pick out redcurrant, fennel, olive and sweet spice. There’s a darker core of plum and cocoa, with a distinctly savoury edge and the layered tannins that give the 2014 its staying power. Bottle age is part of the appeal here, as the fresh fruit starts to make room for the earth and spice that make older St Henri so rewarding.
Cellared Says
I’d put the 2014 beside the 2013 or 2015 if you have either in the cellar. The same old vats leave you a clear view of what each season brought. The 2014 is a little firmer than some St Henris, and the olive and savoury spice are the details I’d look for now. I’d open one with a bit of air and keep another back. This is one of the Penfolds wines I’d buy with drinking firmly in mind.
Reviews
“… an effortless focus that set this vintage apart among the great St Henris …”
97 Points — Tyson Stelzer, TysonStelzer.com
“This is all about fruit purity, shiraz with the faintest damask of blackcurrant wrapped around it.”
95 Points — James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion
Region: South Australia
Varieties: 96% Shiraz, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon
Country: Australia
Vintage: 2014
Style: Dry red
Format: 750 mL
The Wine
St Henri has had its own place in the Penfolds range since its first commercial vintage in 1957. Its defining feature is the cellar treatment. The 2014 spent 12 months in large oak vats more than 50 years old. At around 1,460 litres, these old vessels let the wine develop with very little oak flavour, leaving the fruit and tannin to set the shape.
The blend draws on the Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills, Southern Fleurieu, Wrattonbully and McLaren Vale. Cabernet Sauvignon makes up just 4%, adding a little firmness to the Shiraz. The season turned in mid-February: rain broke the summer heat and gave the grapes a slower run to harvest, with brightness as well as ripeness.
Penfolds’ release notes pick out redcurrant, fennel, olive and sweet spice. There’s a darker core of plum and cocoa, with a distinctly savoury edge and the layered tannins that give the 2014 its staying power. Bottle age is part of the appeal here, as the fresh fruit starts to make room for the earth and spice that make older St Henri so rewarding.
Cellared Says
I’d put the 2014 beside the 2013 or 2015 if you have either in the cellar. The same old vats leave you a clear view of what each season brought. The 2014 is a little firmer than some St Henris, and the olive and savoury spice are the details I’d look for now. I’d open one with a bit of air and keep another back. This is one of the Penfolds wines I’d buy with drinking firmly in mind.
Reviews
“… an effortless focus that set this vintage apart among the great St Henris …”
97 Points — Tyson Stelzer, TysonStelzer.com
“This is all about fruit purity, shiraz with the faintest damask of blackcurrant wrapped around it.”
95 Points — James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion
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