Penfolds : Saint Henri Shiraz 2022

A brighter, bigger style of St Henri. Strawberry and cherry on the nose, then a ripe and concentrated palate full of flavour, charm and personality, packed with tons of superb spice which comes from both the fruit and the wood: liquorice, black and Szechuan pepper. Juicy, succulent and totally moreish on the finish. Very full structured, dense and powerful but tightly coiled right now. Built for the long haul, this will age for decades and provide plenty of enjoyment along the way. A blend of 96% Shiraz and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Padthaway, aged 14 months in large, seasoned oak vats. Released at £95.

The 2022 Shiraz St Henri is quite classic and more brooding than usual. This is an iron fist in a velvet glove, with a compact, youthful core of blackberry and tempered chocolate over a gentle dusting of Middle Eastern spices and coal fire. It is superbly balanced with rivers of fine tannins and the fruit is still very much in its shell. The 2022 is a superstar in the making.