Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2005 6x75cl

95 Wine Spectator (Top 100 Wines of 2009)

Aromatic, complex and silky, slipping in it’s gorgeous blackberry, current and plum fruit against a seething background of toast, spice, mineral and loamy earth. The texture is seamless, and the flavors just take off, sailing through the long expressive finish. Best from 2011 through 2020. *Top 100 Wines of 2009*

It is far more generous on the nose compared to the previous vintage, with ebullient notes of mulberry, raspberry, wild hedgerow, black truffle and tobacco. It is very well defined and offers complementary scents of mandarin and dried mango with continued aeration. The palate opens with that mulberry fruit profile, underpinned by crisp acidity and tautness borrowed from the 2004. There is great structure and authority in this 2005, with impressive weight and persistency towards the finish that is packed full of vibrant red berry fruit laced with white pepper and cedar. This is a worthy follow-up to the great 2004. Drink 2014-2040.