Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 1991 Friday, Apr 7 2006
Tasting Notes and Australia and Barossa Valley and Variety and Red and shiraz et al
It was getting late in the evening when this was opened so I didn’t note the colour of it. Regardless, it was singing straight away, with chocolate, red liquorice, lovely sweet florals, jubey and juicy blueberries, a spoonful of raspberry jam. The palate showed red fruits, a slightly disturbing raspberry cordial character, medium weight, some earth and spicy leather. It was compared to the Rockford “Basket Press” Shiraz for its flavour profile and texture. There are some secondary characters there but it is really still very primary, even at 15 years of age. More than drinkable now, and has still got a long way to go. An Australian classic.
Rated : 91 Points
Tasted : Apr06
Alcohol : 13.5%
Price : $20
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2006 - 2011+
Source : Cellar
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18 Responses to “Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 1991”
April 7th, 2006 at 6:01 pm
This is one of my favourites. How do you rate it next to the prostigious ‘86?
GW
April 7th, 2006 at 6:06 pm
The ‘86 was much much better. This one is still too primary. I have one more bottle and I’m going to leave it another 5 years. And actually, this is pretty cheap at auction - I might snaffle a 6 pack and see how far the kite can fly.
April 7th, 2006 at 6:06 pm
Ah but provenance is everything with this wine..
GW
April 7th, 2006 at 6:10 pm
Too true - I bought this one at the end of 1995 for $19.95 per bottle. This said, I will probably try my luck anyways…
April 10th, 2006 at 1:51 pm
Linc - I am suprised you rated this so highly. I found the raspberry a bit too sweet and offputting. I had it at 88 for what it’s worth (i.e. not much)
April 10th, 2006 at 5:58 pm
Yes, you are right Daryll - perhaps I was being generous… would love to see it in another 10 years…
April 10th, 2006 at 6:16 pm
No you are not! The 91 is outstanding. All Penfolds 91’s are.
GW
April 11th, 2006 at 9:40 am
I bought a magnum of 91 StH years ago, and made a mental note to keep it for my 50th, an event that is 9 merciful years away. Beginning to wonder if the 60th might be a better bet; considering how well the 86 drinks from 750 - and the youth of 90 and 91…
Graeme
April 11th, 2006 at 1:51 pm
I’m with Linc ont his - fruit sweet it was, but consider the more sdtructured, savoury company it kept on the night. In yest another 10 years time it will be sublime!
AB
April 11th, 2006 at 2:55 pm
Linc,
I bought 4 bottles of this at auction last year and have drunk 3 of them - all of them tertiary, leathery, beautiful but fully mature. Nothing raspberried about them. Clearly your bottles are in better nick than mine are/were. Auction might be more for drink-now than long term.
Campbell.
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:47 pm
GW. I’ve got a couple of bottles of 1990 St Henri which I’m going to crack on Saturday night. Given the age, do you reckon I’ll need a decant or is your experience that you can just sink straight in?
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:26 pm
I don’t know really. Not had the 90 in the last x years. I’d splash it into a decanter after standing for a day or so to keep the crust out of it about 1/2 before serving.
GW
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:26 pm
I’m not GW but I’ll have a go … I’ve not had this wine (I’ve only got back to the ‘91 reviewed here), but you will surely need to decant this, because there’s going to be a fair bit of crust, though it is vintage-specific thing (’99s now have quite a bit of muck, even though it’s one of my favourites, but ’98s do not, nor do ’94s and either side of that if memory serves).
The most recent older St. Henri I’ve had is the ‘94 (early this year) and I left it for two hours before taking a good chug, but really could have left it another couple. I would act similarly here. You will know if you have a good bottle of St Henri because the bouquet hits you when the cork is only half out.
If you don’t choose to decant, at least make sure you’ve had it standing for some time! And take extra great care with the cork - it will probably be a crumbly job. Enjoy in any case, it should be good.
Hopefully Gary can give some more vintage specific advice, because I only go back to ‘91.
July 7th, 2008 at 8:43 am
Went to open the ‘90 St Henri and the cork crumbled on me.. not a good sign. After a good 2 hours in the decanter it smelt of wet socks and cork. bought this from auction so don’t really know the provenance of the bottle. bugger.
July 7th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Well if it was corked it was corked (regardless of provenence). Certainly sounds it. Also what was the colour like? Brownish or still a strong red?
GW
July 7th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Wouldn’t have desribed it as brown - in fact when I looked at the wine in the decanter it was red/burgundy colour.
July 7th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Good. It’s corked then. Seek replacement from Penfolds.
GW
July 7th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Yes, definitely corked. Very sad to hear.
Gary, do you think 2005 St Henri will be under screwcap?