2021 St. Henri Shiraz Penfolds Barossa Valley 0.75 L

2021 St. Henri Shiraz Penfolds - Barossa Valley/Australia
Single Vineyard Wine

Origin:

Penfolds is one of Australia's most traditional wineries, founded in 1844 by Christopher and Mary Penfold. Today, the name stands for iconic red wines such as Grange and St. Henri Shiraz, which embody the stylistic diversity of the house. St. Henri was first vinified in the 1950s (1957 first commercial vintage), and has since been considered a deliberate counterpart to Grange. While the latter focuses on aging in new barriques, St. Henri traditionally matures in large, old barrels, so that fruit and origin are clearly in the foreground. The grapes in 2021 mainly come from the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, two of Australia's most renowned regions for Shiraz.

Aging:

The cuvée consists of 97% Shiraz and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. After hand-picking, fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks, followed by 12 months of maturation in large, used oak barrels. This aging gives the wine a special elegance, as it hardly absorbs any wood aromas, thus highlighting the fruit, fine spice, and silky texture.

Aroma & Taste:

In the glass, the 2021 St. Henri presents itself in deep black-red with violet reflections. On the nose, aromas of raspberry licorice, dark cherry, and pomegranate unfold, accompanied by white chocolate, nutmeg, violet, and fine spice. On the palate, it is powerful yet elegant, with dense, fine-grained tannins, a silky texture, and mineral depth. Notes of wild cherry, toasted bread, graphite, and subtle spice lead to an endlessly long, exciting finish.

Food recommendation:

An ideal accompaniment to rack of lamb with herb crust, braised beef with root vegetables, game dishes, or hearty pasta dishes. It also reveals its complexity with aged cheeses like Cheddar or Manchego. Perfect for festive menus or as a stand-alone in a large glass.

Peculiarities of the 2021 vintage in South Australia:

The year 2021 brought optimal conditions in the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale: After a dry winter, late summer rains and a mild autumn ensured even ripening. The harvest was calm and methodical, allowing highly concentrated, healthy Shiraz grapes to be picked. The wines of the 2021 vintage are considered powerful, elegant, and excellent for aging – a prime example of the classic Australian style.

Conclusion:

The 2021 Penfolds St. Henri Shiraz is an iconic wine that has stood for an alternative interpretation of Australian Shiraz for over 70 vintages. It is the counterpart to the legendary Grange – less shaped by wood, but carried by fruit, minerality, and structure. A wine of great elegance and long life, embodying the timeless Penfolds signature and capable of maturing until 2045.