Penfolds

St Henri Shiraz 2023

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  Vintage 2023
  97 points

The Dan Murphy's panel was blown away by this year's St Henri, which stands out with outstanding pedigree and unmistakable poise. Flaunting a mid-to-deep crimson-purple hue, it opens with an alluring, lifted nose of violet, lilac, fresh black plums, and black pepper. On the palate, the fruit profile is wonderfully effortless and unforced, revealing layers of pulpy blueberries, mulberry, and sweet spices. Driven by a fantastic line of refreshing acidity and enlivened by satiny, fine powdery tannins, it glides into a super long, fresh, blue-fruited finish. Pure, silky elegance.

• 

  Vintage 2023
  97 points

The blessing of long, slow ripening afforded by a mild season is particularly well suited to St Henri, making for a standout among recent releases. I admire its depth of colour, its detail and precision of lifted violets and black fruits, and most of all the confidence with which it rises in freeze-frame determination through a finish of magnificent brightness and allure. Large oak vats open out effortless expansiveness, emphasising concentration without broadness. A standout of this year’s Penfolds release, with an incredible future before it. Drink 2038-2053.