Winemaker Notes
Plum core, crimson rim with a glossy sheen. There is an otherworldly aromatic element that is hard to define, a natural result of two hemispheres united by one winemaking philosophy. The Arabian spice souk leads the charge: dark, savory spice blends – harissa, baharat, cloves, nutmeg, pimento, cinnamon, fennel, anise. Deli meats provide further appeal: pastrami, jamón ibérico, finocchiona. Generous fruits, fresh punnets of blackberry, cassis liqueur, dehydrated blood orange. Pistachio ice-cream, pistachio nougat, shavings of bitter orange chocolate and cola. A spicy dust tickles, tantalizing. For a nose that is so spicy, the plush generous fruit driven palate is entirely surprising. Licorice, poached quince, fresh black figs, summer berry pudding with icing sugar dusting. The palate is focused, tapering to a fine point, defined. Fine and grainy tannins hold the layers of fruit together, offering papery texture/complexity. A succulent red fruit finish leaves a steely edge. Approachable, certainly. However, a patient spell in the cellar will deliver ample reward.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 149 saw 100% new oak, 80% French and 20% American. The fruit here is really powerful and drives the wine through the front palate, middle and finish. It is concentrated and long and undeterred. This is seriously smart and shows precision and detail in both the winemaking and fruit. The three Californian wines form an equal step up each time of quality, concentration and complexity—as it should be, frankly—which makes for very satisfying drinking. It contains 10.9% Australian Cabernet Sauvignon (a blend of A1 grade Coonawarra and Barossa Valley). This will drink very well early, but it will also cellar gracefully for over a decade or more. My assessment of the blend in this instance is that the sweetness of the American and Australian fruit find simpatico with one another—the dovetail is seamless.
Rating: 96+ -
Wine Enthusiast
An outstanding marriage of 90% American Cabernet with 10% Australian, showing juicy layers of seductive and lengthy flavor. Dried herb, dark cherry, blackberry and cassis play around an elegant structure of full-bodied complexity that should age well. Enjoy best 2029–2039.
Cellar Selection -
Decanter
The experiment to forge a dual-hemisphere expression of Cabernet Sauvignon, with tightly wound Napa Valley fruit piqued by a 10.1% addition from various regions of South Australia, remains a curious work in progress. Its ambition appears to be forging a lean, energetic vision of separate forces, so we see a sweet 'n' sour tussle of red berries sliding on a silky palate until the blackberry grip of the Napa fruit takes hold, finishing much more powerfully that its svelte entry suggests.
Since 1844, Penfolds has been grounded in experimentation, curiosity and uncompromising quality. Their success has been driven by a lineage of visionary winemakers. It began with Dr. Christopher and Mary Penfold, the pioneers who dreamed big, inventing tonics, brandies, and fortified wines made from grapes and Australian sunshine. It continued with celebrated winemaking legends including Max Schubert, who pushed the development to extraordinary, bold new heights. It is this pioneering spirit and curiosity that still rings true after nearly two centuries, it is what has helped Penfolds become one of the most celebrated winemakers in the world today.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
The wine world is vast and constantly expanding. With shifts in climate, fashion, trands and technology, new regions are constantly developing. Through research and experimentation enologists and winemakers continue to develop an understanding of which varieties work best on which vineyard sites. Often, since these regions have yet to gain worldwide popularity, they are great sources for the savvy consumer looking to try something new and interesting at a budget-friendly price.