96 Points James Halliday
I vividly remember trying a 1971 St Henri when I worked in a retail store in Sydney and it knocked my socks off. I've been besotted with the wine every since. Deep magenta-splashed crimson in the glass, with fruit notes of satsuma plum, blackberry, blueberry and boysenberry. Hints of olive tapenade, baking spices, tea cake, roasting meats, earth and dark chocolate. Considerable fruit depth as it unfurls on the palate, with a ferrous edge to the tannin profile providing ample support. The wine finishes long, balanced and true. It's not quite up to the lofty heights of the '21 release but, man, it's not far off. Drink 2026 - 2050.
Source: James Halliday.
95 Points Tyson Stelzer
Deep, saturated colour with a strong purple rim; the bouquet is very mineral, with ironstone, freshly-dug earth and dried blood notes. Full-bodied, dense and quite muscular for a St Henri, with hints of dried fruit/raisin but the freshness is not compromised at all. Tannins are supple and fleshy and coat the mouth. Typically savoury and lovely drinking already, but obviously has long term potential too. (4% cabernet sauvignon. Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Padthaway) 17 Jun 2025 Drink 2028 - 2043.
Source: Tyson Stelzer.