Penfolds St Henri 2008

I am a huge fan of this label and have written about the experiences that I have had with this label recently so I shall add the links to them below.

http://vino-review.blogspot.com.au/2011/09/penfolds-st-henri-1969.html

http://vino-review.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/penfolds-st-henri-1996.html

http://vino-review.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/penfolds-st-henri-1999.html

http://vino-review.blogspot.com.au/2011/08/penfolds-st-henri-2001.html

So what was 2008 like as a vintage? In a word hot. Many of the wines from this vintage are starting to show secondary flavours and many lack the structure to see them last in the bottle past their 10th birthday.

Penfolds St Henri 2008

This years St Henri shows that this is the heart and soul of the Penfolds team as it is fresh and lively in the glass with a little more plush flavours than is normal but for a hot vintage shows restraint. The wine is more blue and red fruits with a elbow in the face full of spice thrown in to keep you on your toes.  While these flavours are soothing the acidity and tannins are one that leave the lasting impression. They are so unlike the normal 08s which is a delight.  Some would say it is an afternoon delight wine but lets not get a head of ourselves. The velvet like palate starts with Shiraz but a little blackcurrant and olive tapenade from the little amount of Cabernet comes into the mix from the mid-palate on. Even though the Cabernets from Penfolds in 2012 are the leading lights I would be inclined to stash a few St Henri's away in a dark cellar. It is always a big event wine that holds a special place in so many Australian wine connoisseurs that this vintage deserves to be included in the must buy section.

Alcohol: 14.5%
Price: Street price $70
Rated: 93+
Drink: 2016 - 2030