Seriously - Is St Henri better than Bin 389?

[Hacker]

I've had both, mainly from the mid/late 1990's, and I personally much prefer Bin 389. I know, different mix etc, but for pure enjoyment give me 389 (cheaper too!)

Thoughts?

[Hunter]

I personally prefer st henri. But I know where your coming from. 389 has alot more enjoyable oak and secondary characteristics where I find st henri too be more pure and delicate fruit driven. I'm still deciding what to purchase with the new release around the corner

[Rocky]

The 2011 Grange? Only kidding. Is anyone seriously going to fork out for it? Any ideas of its release price?

[wiggum]

I love both, but I had a 2002 St Henri last week that kicked pants off the last 389 I had which was also 2002. Both good but I think it comes down to personal taste and pick the eyes out of the vintage.

[cosmonaut]

Prefer st Henri myself, but both nice in their own ways. 389 @ $80 and st henri @ $100 though. They'd want to be nice!

Hopefully St Henri can be had for a bit less than that on release. Will likely grab 6 and that'll do me from the pennies release, though I'll no doubt sample some of the lesser bins over the coming months.

[Hacker]

Hmmm.... looks like I might be on my own with this one.

I'm opening a 1996 Bin 389 tonight to convince myself.

[Hunter]

And I've decanted a 96 henri.
We should compare notes !

[felixp]

St Henri for me.
Got a stack of 90's decades of both, the St Henri better by far in 96 and 98, better in 91,94 and 95, and the rest is a personal choice.
Have not purchased either for ages, the prices are a joke, and I remain incredulous people still fork out serious money for what are basically third and fourth wines in the stable.
They are/used to be really really good quaffers, but not for those $$$$$$$.

[felixp]

And I've decanted a 96 henri.
We should compare notes !

easy win for you today. The 96 389 is still a pup, and tannins remain hard, possibly even a little unripe. The 96 St Henri will one day be as good as the 71, and it is the best of the 90's Henris by a considerable margin. (whereas I like the 98 389 as the best of that decade)

[Hunter]

The 98 389 is always a crowd pleaser.

[Hacker]

the 1996 389 didn't live up to expectations, perhaps until the last glass. But who can wait that long?

We had it, amongst others at the closing of my favorite Chinese restaurant, the Roseville Chase Chinese, a much loved local establishment where we amongst many others have celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, and any other excuse for a night out at such a lovely 'local'. Thanks so much Nancy and family.

[felixp]

:cry: the 1996 389 didn't live up to expectations, perhaps until the last glass. But who can wait that long?

We had it, amongst others at the closing of my favorite Chinese restaurant, the Roseville Chase Chinese, a much loved local establishment where we amongst many others have celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, and any other excuse for a night out at such a lovely 'local'. Thanks so much Nancy and family.

.... I have learnt the hard way over here (China) that shiraz and Chinese food just do not match. Even a blend like 389 is a tough ask. Sure pinot is good, but I reckon cabernet and merlot (good ones) are the matches made in heaven, particularly for NE Chinese cooking. Easy to see why there was a Bordeaux frenzy in 09 and 10, just as there will be in 15 over here.

[mjs]

:cry: the 1996 389 didn't live up to expectations, perhaps until the last glass. But who can wait that long?

We had it, amongst others at the closing of my favorite Chinese restaurant, the Roseville Chase Chinese, a much loved local establishment where we amongst many others have celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, and any other excuse for a night out at such a lovely 'local'. Thanks so much Nancy and family.

.... I have learnt the hard way over here (China) that shiraz and Chinese food just do not match. Even a blend like 389 is a tough ask. Sure pinot is good, but I reckon cabernet and merlot (good ones) are the matches made in heaven, particularly for NE Chinese cooking. Easy to see why there was a Bordeaux frenzy in 09 and 10, just as there will be in 15 over here.

Just spent two weeks in China for work, various places, lots of meals, beer, maotai, some wine. The last night was in Zhuhai where we savoured a few bottles of Rawsons Retreat at a Szechuan style restaurant

[Brucer]

I prefer my 389s and St Henri a fair bit younger. My 96s were drunk years ago.
I am down to my last 2004 St Henri, its a good wine, and I have been into the 2005 and 2006 under screwcap. Both drinking well for me.
2006 is the oldest 389 in the cellar, and its drinking nicely now. I only have 2010 and 2012 now.
I have been drinking 389 for many years, 1982 was my first.
Way back, there was not as much choice in wines to buy, and today they are hardly in the race, except for great vintages.
Depends on how you like em!

Oh, which is better?
If I only had to drink 1 of them again, it would be St Henri.

[mjs]

I tend to head towards the older spectrum. Yes, had '82 389 years ago but not recently. My '96 389's are almost exhausted, but have been superb over the last few years. Speaking of China, had the '12 389 in Nanjing a couple of weeks ago, (have had it at tastings before in Oz), was great after some vigorous decanter action, but really was still vinfanticide. Haven't had as much St H as 389, although have some in the cellar. Had an '05 a way back which was very good but still very youthful. About this time last year, was fortunate enough to have a '72 St H, which I have to say was just one of the best bottles of wine that I have ever had the pleasure of drinking, and on the night was up against some serious heavyweights. See here:

http://forum.auswine.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=14109

So, hard to say which is better. certainly each differs in style, the best of each can be exceptional, and better old bottles of each can be sublime

[Mike Hawkins]

The 2011 Grange? Only kidding. Is anyone seriously going to fork out for it? Any ideas of its release price?

There will be the usual clowns who like to keep their unbroken sequence going.... and then store them in a garage that sits at 35 degrees all summer.

[Mike Hawkins]

IMO, St Henri has higher highs and lower lows than 389. In weak vintages, the oak supports inferior grapes and so my vote goes to 389. But in heralded years such as 86,90,91, 96, 98 and 04, the St Henri is the better wine (96 is close, but the 71 Bin 389 is the exception to my 'rule').

[Polymer]

I quite like St. Henri in weaker vintages...High quality fruit (for the vintage) plus earlier aging has lead to some really surprisingly good experiences...

I generally dislike St. Henri young though....sometimes it feels like something is missing from the wine..whereas the 389 doesn't have that problem.

[phillisc]

Yes.
Cheers
Craig