100% Shiraz

Neal Martin: 92

Neal Martin: Tasted at the "Rewards of Patience" vertical in Berlin. After three quite stupendous vintages, the 2007 almost comes as a slight relief, a St. Henri that takes its foot off the gas. It is a return to 100% Shiraz and yet perversely it has a very Bordeaux-like persona with blackberry, cedar, a touch of truffle oil and sous-bois, but without the intensity of recent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy, ripe tannins. It is very primal and a little closed, but nicely balanced with a slight austerity towards the Left Bank style finish. This is very fine.