Penfolds St. Henri Shiraz 2012

Every Shiraz produced by Penfolds follows its own pattern. The "St. Henri" is a typical multi-regional blend with fruit from McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Padthaway, Wrattonbully and the Peninsulas, which, like the "Grange", may also contain two to three per cent Cabernet. What makes it fundamentally different from the "Grange" is that it is matured exclusively in large, 50-year-old wooden barrels. The 2012 "St. Henri" is a fine, elegant Shiraz with fruit reminiscent of blackberries, black cherries, mulberries and cassis with a hint of tobacco, cinnamon, cloves and mint. The tannins appear polished, the acidity lively and the fruit on the palate rich and expressive. There is no hurry: the wine still has a decade or more ahead of it.