St. Henri Shiraz
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 10 to 30 years from the vintage release, as it possesses extraordinary aging potential despite the absence of new oak.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Slow-roasted leg of lamb, grilled ribeye steak, or rich venison stew.
✨ Technical Specifications
Penfolds St. Henri Shiraz stands as a fascinating counterpoint to its famous sibling, Grange. While Grange is defined by robust new American oak, St. Henri is deliberately crafted without a single splinter of new wood. First officially released by Penfolds in 1957, with historical roots tracing back to the Auldana cellars in the late 19th century, this wine is aged in large, neutral oak vats that are over 50 years old. This traditional method allows the pure, unadorned character of South Australian Shiraz to shine, emphasizing rich fruit, earth, and mineral complexity. It is a masterclass in multi-regional blending, typically sourcing fruit from premium vineyards across the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and Coonawarra to create a seamless, elegant, and deeply structured red that develops immense complexity with age.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1844 by Dr. Christopher and Mary Penfold at Magill Estate in the Mount Lofty foothills, Penfolds represents one of the foundational cornerstones of Australian fine wine. Over nearly two centuries, the house evolved from crafting fortified tonics to pioneering modern multi-regional and multi-vineyard blending across South Australia's premier terroirs, including the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and Coonawarra. Soils span from rich terra rossa over limestone to weathered ironstone and alluvial clays under warm Mediterranean climates tempered by maritime breezes. Under the long-term stewardship of Chief Winemaker Peter Gago, the house adheres to Sustainable Winegrowing Australia standards while preserving an unmistakable house style defined by meticulous fruit classification, submerged-cap fermentation, and structured maturation in American and French oak hogsheads. Benchmark bottlings such as Grange (Bin 95), Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon, Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, and Yattarna Chardonnay define the apex of collectible New World viticulture.
🍇 Grapes
Shiraz (sometimes blended with a very small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, typically 95% to 100% Shiraz)
🍷 ABV
14.0% - 14.5%