Benguela Cove Syrah

a truly handcrafted wine, in every sense of the word

St Henri is a time-honoured and alternative expression of shiraz, and an intriguing counterpoint to Grange. It is unusual amongst high quality Australian red wines as it does not rely on any new oak. Released for the first time by Penfolds in the early 1950s (first commercial vintage 1957), it gained a new lease of life in the 1990s as its quality and distinctive style became better understood. Proudly, a wine style that hasn’t succumbed to the dictates of fashion or commerce. St Henri is rich and plush when young, gaining soft, earthy, mocha-like characters with age. It is matured in an assortment of old large vats that allow the wine to develop, imparting minimal, if any oak character. Although a small proportion of cabernet may sneak into the blend, the focal point for St Henri remains shiraz.

This intense dark coloured wine has a pungent rich nose of liquorice and black fruits with nuances of cloves, thyme and white pepper. With the aromas being so expressive, one would expect a bold palate, but on the contrary. Being full-bodied and well-structured these aromas are tamed and lay to rest on a layered palate that has a lot to give. With a long and lingering finish, this wine will ask questions of why you haven’t purchased more.

A refreshing Syrah from the Cape shows rosemary and lavender perfume over crushed black pepper and bright plum fruit. Elegant and soft textured yet intense and rewarding. The wine is medium-bodied and lingers to a tapering finish. In an age where Syrah is known for making big, polished and powerful, often sweet-fruited wines, Radford Dale have chosen the path less travelled by showing a restrained and subtle expression of one of the Cape’s most exciting varieties.