Winemaker Notes
Lively deep crimson with garnet hues. Distinctive cabernet notes of bay leaf and blackberry leaf provide clear varietal markers. With a swirl, lifted aromatics of dark red cherries and mulberries jump from the glass. Behind the fruit, oak derived notes of cooking spices emerge, including cardamom, allspice and vanilla bean pod. Blackberry and dark red cherry fruits follow onto the palate. An enticing, savory profile. Cranberry and pomegranate succulence helps provide a sweet/sour dynamic. A combination of American and French oak offers a sweet char nuance. The oak doesn’t poke out or linger, rather sitting supportively with the fruit. The structural tannins are fine and grainy helping to drive the finish. The palate lingers from the delicious dense fruit and bracing tannins.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Plum, cassis and wild blackberry flavors are firm and dense, with hints of earth, dried herbs and black tea, plus cigar box details that linger. Drink now. 19,960 cases imported.
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.
South Australia is the historic heart of Australian wine, a great wine capital of the world, and home to some of the most famous regions. It produces more than 80% of Australia’s premium wine from some of the oldest vines in the world. There is an abundance of varieties and wide spectrum of styles to explore. From the rogue to refined, discover Australian wines that are far from ordinary.