Winemaker Notes
Freshly sliced panforte – date, fig, with dried and fresh blue fruits that become more apparent upon sitting. Immediately recognisable cedary French oak - synergised by the liberation of sweet Moroccan spices and a propulsion of dried roasted almond. Conceded – can’t ‘smell’ acidity, so maybe such a perception is created via scents of rhubarb and cranberry?
This year more ostensibly textural than other red wines in The Penfolds Collection. Yet still supersaturated with red and blue-berried fruits and liquorices (both red and black). Proudly extolling a formidable Barossa structure – layered/laminated, rather than thick/blocky … (aka filo-pastry or) ‘filo-lated’?! Tannins – fine/emery/sleek/polished – all there to convey, not to confront. Lingers, ever so pleasantly. Once again spoilt by the generosity on the palate of what the Barossa does best.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Spicy and earthy edge to the nose, graphite-like savory aromas ahead of ripe dark plum and very tarry, coal dusty notes, some dried pot pourri too. There's a deep-set palate, very smooth tannins roll out in commanding fashion, almost never-ending finish. This is a long term wine. Try from 2025 and for two decades after that.
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Decanter
Once again, this displays the hallmark RWT style of generosity, pleasure and sheer Shiraz fleshiness. Sourced entirely from the Barossa and aged for 16 months in French oak hogsheads (83% new), this is chock full of primary black fruit on the nose with a lovely floral scent of iris. The fruit on the palate has bright raspberry and blackberry jam as well as being richly laden with tar, vanilla, mocha, leather, fruitcake and tobacco. Lots of charm here with suave, supple tannins and vivid acidty giving cut, weave and bounce to the wine. Altogether very charming and extremely convincing. Will need time to come round. Drinking Window 2020 - 2040
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 RWT Shiraz leaps from the glass with expressive blackberries, black raspberries and wild blueberry notes plus underlying Indian spices, Sichuan pepper, forest floor and fertile loam notes with a waft of charcuterie. Full-bodied, rich and seductive in the mouth, it coats the palate with vibrant black berry and spicy layers, framed by firm, rounded tannins and finishing on a lingering earthy note. One for the long haul!
Rating: 95+ -
Wine Spectator
Tremendously deep and dark, with concentrated notes of wild blackberry, blueberry and huckleberry at the core, showing details of black licorice, gunpowder tea and black pepper that linger on the finish. Appealing for the density and focus. Long finish. Drink now through 2028.
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Wine Enthusiast
This will take a few years to start to show its potential. At the moment, it's shy. This shows cherry, blackberry, vanilla, cocoa powder, cedar and floral tones. It's tightly wound on the palate, with dusty tannins and balanced acidity. Drink 2020–2037.
Cellar Selection
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.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
Historically and presently the most important wine-producing region of Australia, the Barossa Valley is set in the Barossa zone of South Australia, where more than half of the country’s wine is made. Because the climate is very hot and dry, vineyard managers work diligently to ensure grapes reach the perfect levels of phenolic ripeness.
The intense heat is ideal for plush, bold reds, particularly Shiraz on its own or Rhône Blends. Often Shiraz and Cabernet partner up for plump and powerful reds.
While much less prevalent, light-skinned varieties such as Riesling, Viognier or Semillon produce vibrant Barossa Valley whites.
Most of Australia’s largest wine producers are based here and Shiraz plantings date back as far as the 1850s or before. Many of them are dry farmed and bush trained, still offering less than one ton per acre of inky, intense, purple juice.