1995 Penfolds St. Henri Shiraz Cabernet

The 1995 St Henri is in need of a quiet place in the cellar. Opaque crimson colour with deep mauve, ruby edges. Generous aromas of ripe plum, spice and chocolate with hints of earthy leather and blackcurrant spice in the background. The palate flavours are generous with chocolate, blackcurrant and plum dominant followed by a hint of liquorice. The palate flavours are lighter and shorter than expected from the nose followed by some fine, dry and firm tannins which linger well into the aftertaste leaving a dry plum, chocolate and spice end. Cellar 8-10 years.

WINEMAKER'S TASTING NOTES: The Penfolds St. Henri is a richly flavoured fruit driven style that is not over powered by new oak. Instead of being matured in small new oak barriques which adds greater wood character to the wine, the Penfolds St. Henri is matured in large 2000 litre oak casks which impart little oak influence on the wine. It was developed in direct contrast to the powerhouse Penfolds Grange, the St. Henri is a more elegant, fruit driven style.Made from a blend of 85% Shiraz and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine was matured for 14 months in 2000 litre, old oak casks. Deep ruby, brick red colour. The nose displays raspberry, spice aromas with dark berry fruit overtones from the Cabernet component. On the palate the intense, ripe raspberry like, spicy shiraz fruit characters combine beautifully with the fleshy blackcurrant flavours of the cabernet and earthy chocolate characters. Fine grained tannin structure, good balance and long aftertaste. Cellar up to 15 years. 13.5% alcohol volume.