St Henri Shiraz 2013 Penfolds

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94p by Christer Byklum/ BWW2024 Finalist
94p by Christer Byklum/ BWW2024 Finalist
96p by Andrew Caillard MW / BWW2024 Finalist
95p by Ken Gargett

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Written Notes

A wine with poise and exquisite balance. Other end of the spectrum from the powerful, richly extracted styles which people tend to associate with Penfold's, this has finesse, balance and a classic structure. St Henri always ages well and this one will certainly do that. There are spice notes, florals, a hint of a saline character. Thoroughly appealing. The ’13 will have to compete with the two recent great St Henri’s, ’10 and ’12, but it is off to a flying start.

- Ken Gargett

After a dry South Australian winter reminiscent of 2006, vines were in water de cit at the beginning of spring and became accustomed to dry conditions quite early. Early budburst was a consistent theme across all regions within South Australia. Spring started with cool temperatures in the south east. The Barossa Valley enjoyed some warmer days, dispersed throughout October and November. Whilst canopies were small to moderate, they were healthy and balanced and contributed to even veraison and consequent ripening. Warmer temperatures were observed after the New Year and persisted throughout most of January, contributing to
an early start to the 2013 harvest and a short, condensed vintage. Dry and warm conditions, coupled with lower than average yields in most regions resulted in Shiraz showing strong, structural tannins, wines of great intensity and intense avour.

Magenta. Purple core.

Instantly, a distillation of all that is St Henri.
A heightened ethereal/subliminal fruit lift... hovering above, cleverly propelled by just the right amount of formics and V.A.
Black jelly-bean and star anise notes arise, augmented by g paste, dried herbs and spice – cinnamon and thyme.
With air, scents of freshly-cured corned beef with a carpaccio-like freshness, replete with capers/ vinegar/brine.

Youthful. Structurally expansive – large-framed/amply-dimensioned!
St Henri aims to please - pickled beetroot for the vegetarians; gamey venison and the blackened crust of roast beef for the carnivores.
Wild blackberry and a dark-fruited compote benevolently offer a generosity of fruit sweetness. An almost silky tarriness coupled with mouth-watering acidity create a texturally appealing and integrated mouthfeel.
Voluptuous/Voluminous/Velvety

- Peter Gago / Penfolds

Ruby. Dark fruity, anise, some spices, rich and intense, blackberries and blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, rich, fruity, blackberries, mulberries, light ripe raspberries note, spices, anise, juicy, rounded, touch of mint, rich yet lively, long. 94

- Christer Byklum/ BWW2024 Finalist

Medium deep colour. Lovely fragrant aromas with intense blackberry, inky espresso aromas. Inky textured wine with love fruit complexity and balance. Well-concentrated yet modulated blackberry pastille espresso flavours, looseknit graphite/ fine-boned chalky textures and roasted almond notes. Finishes chalky firm with blackberry pastille, inky notes. Delicious and classic in style with superb vinosity and fruit complexity. Should develop very well over the next ten years or so. 96% Shiraz, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. Rating: 96 Points; Andrew Caillard MW

- Andrew Caillard MW / BWW2024 Finalist

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