Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2022

This is certainly a very fine St Henri, although unlikely to sit with the absolute greats. Maturation is a very different regime from the usual Penfolds modus operandi, with the wine spending time in very large format, very old oak, meaning the oak influence is minimal at best. This release saw fourteen months maturation. 96% Shiraz with 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, the fruit is sourced from the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Padthaway – again, no Clare material, although there is no Clare reason why. The colour is a vibrant yet near black/purple. As much as any wine in the Collection, this one did step up with time in the glass to reveal hidden layers. We have a range of aromas through dried herbs, chocolate, aniseed, cloves, black and red berries, plums, tobacco leaves and cassis. There is a juiciness to the palate and those aniseed notes really start to come forth. The wine finishes with notes of sour cherries. There is very good length here, along with balance and intensity, sleek tannins and a lingering finish. This is perhaps a little more powerful than some recent St Henri releases at this early stage and there is certainly room for the wine to improve even further. It will provide pleasure for at least twenty years.