190- Penfolds St. Henri Shiraz

St. Henri Shiraz
St. Henri Shiraz
2004
PENFOLDS St. Henri is a highly successful and alternative
expression of Shiraz and an intriguing counterpoint to 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.
VINEYARD REGION Barossa Valley, Langhorne Creek, Adelaide Hills
VINTAGE CONDITIONS Above-average winter rainfall led into a
promising vintage, characterised by mild
conditions up until February, followed by hot
weather conditions throughout March and April.
PENFOLDS' South Australian vineyards fared
well, producing wines of elegance and intensity.
GRAPE VARIETY 96% Shiraz, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon
MATURATION This wine was matured for 16 months in large, old
oak vats.
WINE ANALYSIS Alc/Vol: 14.50%
Acidity: 6.70g/L
pH: 3.52