Shiraz – Penfolds St. Henri 750ml

Tasting Note: There’s a sweetness to the fruit, a feeling of loose even flow, a clear push of fruit ripeness and a fleshy, fruit-filled linger to the finish. St Henri is such an interesting wine to look at in its youth. It’s renowned for its ageworthiness and yet it often looks a little leathery and advanced, and lacking in tannin, in its youth. Its history makes you stop and think more than the juice in the glass. I like this release but I’m not falling over myself for it; a de rigueur reaction to a young St Henri. It reminds me more of 1999 than of 1998. The main impression? Lovely generosity of berried fruits. Drink: 2020-2040+. Score – 93. (Campbell Mattinson, winefront.com.au, Oct. 6, 2016)