Penfolds St Henri 2023

Penfolds St Henri 2023

2023 | Barossa | Shiraz

Description

Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2023 is one of Australia’s great classic red wines: powerful, age-worthy and deeply expressive, but made in a very different style to many of Penfolds’ other flagship reds.

Where wines like Grange are closely associated with new oak, St Henri is matured in large, seasoned oak vats, allowing the fruit, tannin and savoury structure to take centre stage. The 2023 release is dark, brooding and complex, showing black cherry, satsuma plum, blueberry, blackberry, crushed herbs, tobacco leaf, dark chocolate, roast meats, black tea and earthy savoury depth.

With a 97-point Halliday Wine Companion review from Dave Brookes and a drinking window stretching to 2050, this is a serious Australian Shiraz for collectors, special dinners and long-term cellaring.

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    Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2023 is one of Australia’s great classic red wines: powerful, age-worthy and deeply express...
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    Penfolds St Henri 2023 $130.00

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    The Wine in 20 Seconds

    Grange may get the headlines, but St Henri has a character all its own. Matured in large, seasoned oak vats so Shiraz takes centre stage, this 2023 release is a distinctive Penfolds classic. One to put in the cellar now, rather than on the wish list.

    Halliday Review

    97
    POINTS Halliday Wine Companion

    A very strong release for this classic Australian wine with a strong cellaring pedigree. Deep crimson in the glass with a purple edge and fruit tones of black cherry, satsuma plum, blueberry, and blackberry. Hints of brown spice, minerals, crushed herbs, tobacco leaf, dark chocolate-dipped cherries, black tea, roast meats and earth. There's a succulence and intensity to this year's release that is infectious; those enticing characters slowly shape-shift into something more savoury and vital at its core. The structure and fruit density suggest longevity is a given, along with balance and grace to boot. These are very good characters indeed. What a cracker.”
    Dave Brookes for the James Halliday Wine Companion

    The Wine

    First introduced in the 1950s, St Henri has become one of Australia's most respected Shiraz wines. A distinctive counterpoint to Grange, it matures in large, seasoned oak vats rather than new oak, allowing the fruit, texture and natural character of Shiraz to take centre stage.

    Colour

    Deep, almost black at the centre, framed by a vivid purple rim.

    Nose

    Brooding and layered, with blackberry and blueberry fruit, dark spices and lightly roasted coffee. As the wine opens, notes of ironstone, flint, fresh nettle and oolong tea emerge, with a subtle lift of goji berry.

    Palate

    Generous, juicy dark fruit meets a distinctly savoury character, with hints of umami and olive brine. The tannins are firm yet finely woven, giving the wine structure and precision without overwhelming the fruit. Nuances of fennel, liquorice and Chinese tea carry through to a long, detailed finish that combines depth with restraint.

    Penfolds St Henri 2023 wine photograph

    The Perfect Pour

    Food Pairing

    Any rich marbling red meat works beautifully with the wine's structure and freshness, while the savoury complexity complements the chargrilled flavours. My pick is roast lamb as a natural match for St Henri. The wine's concentrated dark fruit, savoury character and firm tannins complement the richness of the meat.

    Cellaring Advice

    Penfolds lists a peak drinking window of now to 2050 for St Henri Shiraz 2023. The wine can be enjoyed young, particularly with rich food. For those who enjoy mature Shiraz, this is a wine worth cellaring. Over time, its youthful black and blue fruit characters should gradually develop greater earthy, savoury and spice complexity, with the tannins becoming more integrated.

    Decanting

    Decant for 2–3 hours if drinking young. This is a structured, cellar-worthy Shiraz, and time in a decanter will help open the dark fruit, tannins and savoury detail.

    Serving Temperature

    16–18°C

    Drinking Window

    Now to 2050

    Wine Style

    Full-bodied, savoury Shiraz with dark fruit and finely woven tannins. Richly layered, with fruit taking centre stage over oak.

    Vintage & Winemaking

    Winemaker's Notes
    St Henri is a time-honoured and alternative expression of Shiraz within the Penfolds Collection. Unlike many premium Australian reds, it does not rely on new oak. The 2023 release was matured for 12 months in large, seasoned oak vats, allowing the fruit and structure to develop with minimal oak character.
    The wine is dark, brooding and complex, with black and blue fruits, spice, mineral notes, fresh nettle, oolong tea, rare steak savouriness, olive brine, fennel, liquorice and tight, finely woven tannins.
    Vintage Conditions

    The 2023 vintage was shaped by a cool, wet La Niña influence across southern Australia. Winter and early spring rainfall were well above average, creating high soil moisture but also persistent cloud cover and lower heat accumulation.

    Flowering took place in unsettled, cool conditions, leading to variable fruit set and lower yields in many Shiraz blocks. Summer remained mostly mild, with fewer extreme heat events and a long, slow ripening period.

    Harvest was later than average across the contributing regions, requiring careful vineyard and picking decisions to balance flavour development, structure and freshness.

    Technical Details
    Variety: Shiraz
    Region: McLaren Vale | Barossa Valley | Frankland River | Port Lincoln | Padthaway | Australia
    Vintage: 2023
    Size: 750mL
    Alcohol Volume: 14.5%
    Closure: Cork
    Acidity: 6.9g/L
    pH: 3.63
    Maturation: 12 months in large, seasoned oak vats
    Style: Dry red wine
    CONTAINS SULPHITES
    WINE OF AUSTRALIA
    Further Information About This Wine
    Penfolds St Henri stands apart from many of Australia's most recognised premium Shiraz wines because of its traditional approach to oak maturation.

    Where much of Australia's premium Shiraz category has explored the influence of new oak, St Henri has remained committed to using large, seasoned vats that contribute minimal oak flavour.

    This allows the wine's natural fruit concentration, tannin structure and regional complexity to define its character.

    First commercially produced in 1957, St Henri has developed a remarkable history and a reputation for longevity.

    The 2023 release continues that tradition, combining fruit from five Australian regions and showing the depth, savoury detail and balance that have made St Henri an important name in Australian wine.

    It is equally relevant to the serious collector and to someone looking to experience a distinctive alternative to new-oak-influenced premium Shiraz.

    People, Place & Variety

    Winery associated with Penfolds St Henri 2023

    Winery

    Founded in 1844, Penfolds has become one of Australia's most recognised wine producers, celebrated for its distinctive blending philosophy and long history of producing age-worthy wines.

    While Grange is perhaps its most famous wine, St Henri represents an important alternative within the Penfolds Collection.

    The first commercial St Henri vintage was produced in 1957, although the wine's history extends to releases during the early 1950s.

    Unlike many other premium Penfolds red wines, St Henri is matured in large, seasoned oak vats rather than new oak barrels.

    This traditional approach allows the fruit, tannins and developing savoury complexity to remain at the centre of the wine.

    Over decades, St Henri has established a reputation for producing richly flavoured Shiraz with impressive longevity and a character distinctly its own.
    Winemaker associated with Penfolds St Henri 2023

    Winemaker

    Peter Gago - Penfolds Chief Winemaker. Peter launched his career as a chemistry and mathematics teacher before succumbing to a long-held interest in wine. After graduating as dux from a Bachelor of Applied Science (Oenology) at Roseworthy College, Peter joined the winemaking team in 1989, initially in the craftsmanship of sparkling wines, before moving on to reds as Penfolds Red Wine Oenologist. In 2002 Peter became the fourth ever Chief Winemaker for Penfolds. Peter’s careful custodianship has ensured that Grange and the other ‘older’ members of the Penfolds family, have continued to set the benchmark for their style and quality, while new additions to the range push the boundaries ever wider. In 2017, Peter was recognised for his work in the Australian wine industry, becoming South Australia’s Great Wine Capitals Global Ambassador, and received the significant honour, his appointment as a Companion of The Order of Australia (AC). In 2018 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of South Australia. In 2021, Peter joined Decanter’s prestigious ‘Hall of Fame’.
    Wine region associated with Penfolds St Henri 2023

    Wine Region

    St Henri is a multi-region wine, drawing from several important Australian Shiraz sources.

    McLaren Vale contributes richness, dark fruit and savoury depth.

    Barossa Valley brings power, fruit density and classic Australian Shiraz generosity.

    Frankland River can add structure, freshness and cooler-climate detail.

    Port Lincoln and Padthaway contribute further regional complexity, helping build the final St Henri blend.

    This multi-region approach is central to Penfolds’ house style, allowing the winemaking team to build balance, consistency and complexity across vintages.

    Vineyard associated with Penfolds St Henri 2023

    Variety

    Shiraz is Australia’s signature red variety, capable of producing everything from bright, spicy medium-bodied reds through to powerful, long-lived wines of depth and structure. In a wine like St Henri, Shiraz is shown through fruit density, savoury complexity, firm tannin and ageing potential rather than heavy new-oak influence.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What makes Penfolds St Henri different from other Penfolds Shiraz wines?

    St Henri is matured in large, seasoned oak vats rather than new oak. This allows the natural fruit, tannin structure and savoury complexity to define the wine without prominent new-oak flavours.

    Is Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2023 worth cellaring?

    Yes. Penfolds recommends a drinking window extending to 2050. The wine has concentrated fruit, structured tannins and the balance required for long-term cellaring.

    What does Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2023 taste like?

    The wine displays black cherry, plum, blueberry and blackberry, complemented by spice, crushed herbs, black tea, dark chocolate and savoury notes. The palate is concentrated, with finely woven tannins and a long finish.

    Does Penfolds St Henri contain Cabernet Sauvignon?

    St Henri is principally a Shiraz wine. Penfolds notes that some vintages may contain a small proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon, although the exact blend for the 2023 release has not been specified in the supplied technical information.

    Should I decant Penfolds St Henri 2023?

    Decanting for approximately two hours is recommended when drinking young. Older bottles may require more careful handling to separate sediment.

    What food pairs best with St Henri Shiraz?

    Roast lamb, wagyu striploin, aged cheddar and slow-cooked beef are excellent choices. The wine's structure, dark fruit and savoury complexity complement rich, flavoursome dishes.

    Where is Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2023 produced?

    The wine is blended from fruit sourced across McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Frankland River, Port Lincoln and Padthaway in Australia.

    What is the Halliday score for Penfolds St Henri 2023?

    The wine received 97 points from Dave Brookes for Halliday Wine Companion, in a review published on 23 July 2026.

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