Winemaker Notes
"Big, rich and vibrant, a spectacular mouthful of cherry, currant and a subtle range of peppers and spices and creaminess, finishing with refined tannins and a silky texture that lets the fruit and spice sail on and on. Best from 2009 through 2018."
-Wine Spectator
Professional Ratings
-
Wine & Spirits
RWT (red wine trial) is a selection of top shiraz that ages in new French oak barriques rather than the American oak used for Grange. Dense and reduced at first, with blackberry and balsamic edges, this takes form with air. Tart cherry and black pepper spice emerge as the tannins give it definition with their earthy, mineral character. If you choose not to age it, serve it with roast duck.
-
Wine Enthusiast
Inky purple-black in color, this looks like a heavyweight, and lovers of big, rich wines likely won’t be disappointed. It’s full-bodied, verging on heavy, with chocolaty plum and prune flavors that nevertheless stay surprisingly fresh on the long finish. It’s approachable now, but how long it will last is a tough call.
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.