2019 Penfolds St Henri Shiraz

Other Reviews....
The 2019 St Henri is a high powered and historic South Australian Shiraz. It brings together the richness of the 2019 vintage with the understated St Henri style to provide a stunning proposition. Raw power is on display with punchy aromas of violets, blackberries and ink with mocha oak sitting gently in the background. The palate follows suit with a muscular feel and chewy tannins underpinning a rich bed of broody black fruits which are sustained through to a long, dense finish. This iron fist in a velvet glove is immensely impressive and will, without doubt, age beautifully. Drink 2030 - 2048.
94+ Points
Angus Hughson - Antonio Galloni's Vinous (July 2022)

A blend of fruit from McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Padthaway, Wrattonbully and The Peninsulas. The only omission is Coonawarra. Matured as always in large old oak vats, although tweaking final blend decisions may have been difficult. I'm not convinced by this wine – there's fruit, then a pause, then tannins. Others will undoubtedly disagree. Drink by 2030.
91 Points
James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion (August 2022)

A great St. Henri and, although multi-regional, this is very much a wine that speaks of the Barossa Valley, with aromas of ripe blackberries and red plums that are so fresh, together with tobacco, young-leather, earth, chocolate, coal-smoke and tarry accents. Effortless depth on the palate with summer berries, framed in fine, alabaster-like tannins that are underscored with discreet power. So long and captivating. A blend of Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Port Lincoln, Robe, Padthaway, Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills. Drink over the next decade or more. Screw cap.
99 Points
JamesSuckling.com (August 2021)

The St Henri Shiraz is often one of my favorite reds in the Penfolds Collection, due to the ability of the fruit to shine through the fine sheath of oak that encases it. At this stage, and I know you will hear this often, the wine still represents good value. The 2019 St Henri Shiraz is elegantly structured, with the 2019 vintage showing the warmth and intensity without overstepping balance or line. Texturally, this will only increase in its silky shape, which comes with the gentle suggestion to decant this if you insist on drinking it within five years from harvest (i.e., anytime from now to 2024). This 2019 is shaped by abundant red and purple fruit (and a splash of blue), charry spice and fine tannins. Gorgeous. Drink 2022 - 2042.
96+ Points
Erin Larkin - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (July 2022)

So much comfort comes from each sip of this graceful, understated Shiraz, boasting a meld of all the essential elements: bright, crunchy fruit freshness and satisfying savoury grip, all bound together in an intriguing textural tussle. There’s much to contemplate, with olive, plum, mulberry, cocoa and cranberry all rolling and pitching on a king tide in the mid-palate. Such a luxurious sum of the parts makes you want to dive in for more. Drink 2022 - 2045.
96 Points
David Sly - Decanter (June 2022)

Made with grapes from Port Lincoln, the Eden Valley, McLaren Vale and the Barossa Valley, not necessarily in that order. Matured as always in 50+ year old oak casks. 97% shiraz, 3% cabernet sauvignon. It’s been some time since I’ve sat, for an extended period of time, with a glass of young St Henri, as I’ve been able to do today. It must be a) a pleasure to make and b) a difficult wine to make. You can’t hide anything behind the usual scaffolding or make it more ‘impressive’ with artifice.
Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2019. Grown in the McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Padthaway, Wrattonbully and ‘The Peninsulas’ regions. 12 months in large seasoned oak vats.
I’m loving the tannin on this release, the long minerally-flourish of the finish, the subtle mocha notes in there with the cherries and boysenberries and plums. There’s dry/roasted spice here and a good deal of it. Classic St Henri release, studded with fennel, perfumed, unhurried, lengthy, complete. Drink 2026 - 2040+
96 Points
Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front (July 2022)

25% McLaren Vale, 21% Barossa, 20% Padthaway, 19% Wrattonbully and the rest Port Lincoln, which the official Penfolds literature calls ‘the Peninsulas’. 12 months in large, seasoned oak vats. TA 6.6, pH 3.62.
Glowing, blackish purple. Toasty but not oaky nose, and really sweet palate entry. Strongly medicinal flavours but not too alcoholic or sweet. There is some freshness in this very successful multiregional blend. Drink 2024 – 2050.
17.5+ / 20 Points
JancisRobinson.com (June 2022)