This can only ever be a stylistic expression of the shiraz variety, as sourcing from six SA districts eliminates regionality. (For the record, The Peninsulas is a defined GI region, this fruit coming from the outskirts of Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula.) The wine’s point of difference within the Penfolds range is that it has no new oak maturation and spends only 12 months in large format seasoned vats. The result is a sophisticated, dark, almost mysterious shiraz, a wine with secrets within that one suspects will reveal great joys over the next 20 to 30 years, as its forebears have proved for more than half a century. For now, in and around the black fruits there are flint, mushroom, licorice and roast meat notes. Plenty to unpack. A serious SA shiraz that remains a really enticing proposition.

Tony Love on the Penfolds St. Henri Shiraz, South Australia 2019.

Deep crimson, Intense dark cherry, blackberry, chinotto aromas with roasted walnut espresso notes. Fresh and voluminous with ample dark cherry, blackberry, cassis flavours, fine loose-knit chocolaty textures and underlying roasted walnut espresso notes. Finishes long and sweet with an inky plume. Seamless and expressive wine with the fruit melting beautifully into the structure. A very impressive St Henri that will stand the test of time. One of the standout wines of the 2024 release. Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale Drink now – 2045 14.5% alc

Andrew Caillard MW on the Penfolds St. Henri Shiraz, South Australia 2021.