1998 St Henri Shiraz
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Tasting notes
94% Shiraz, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. Barossa Valley, Padthaway, McLaren Vale. Dry, savoury, chunky tannin with a tightness on the finish. Peter Gago thinks this is going through an awkward phase. (RH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Very deep crimson. Sweet, well-married nose with real integration and excitement. Molten treacle toffee but at least it's molten (unlike so many of the other vintages)! Slightly dry on the finish but a good glass of wine. Bit subdued. (JR)
St Henri, made from rather juicier, fruitier grapes than those that go into Grange, is aged exclusively in old American oak puncheons and truly does taste like essence of Australian Shiraz. It's all fruit on the nose – and rather dusty fruit at that. Winemaker Peter Gago suggests praline but my sense was more of chocolate. This is certainly a fleshy wine whose ripeness hides the substantial tannins on the finish. (JR)
The 1998 Shiraz St. Henri is a delicious dark ruby-colored effort with a sweet nose of jammy black fruits intermixed with herbs, earth, and pepper. Perfumed, medium-bodied, and succulent, it will drink well for 3-4 years. Importer: Southcorp Wines, The Americas, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 258-8755
About the producer
Penfolds is Australia’s most famous wine producer, known best for their iconic top wine, Grange. First produced commercially in 1952, Grange has since gone on to become one of the world’s most famous fine wines. In 2001, the wine was listed as an Australian heritage icon.