Winemaker Notes
Cranberry, blueberry (Danish muffin) fruits overlay a stylish, integrated (rose-wood)French oak framework. Pronounced tannins caught up in a magma flow of Barossa fruits and unctuous extract – more of a mouth-coating eruption/propulsion! Balanced. Persistent. Complete.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This is quite closed on the nose, the oak (57% new French) has it locked down in cedary armour, below sits ripe blackberry and red plum fruit aromas, some aged proscuitto meaty notes, orange zest and praline. The palate has intensity, richness, depth and rich blackberry flavor all riding on velour-like tannins, attractive texture, a little thread of Aperol-like flavor, this is dense yet plush. Best from 2018.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2013 Shiraz RWT Barossa Valley has a youthfully mute blackberries and black cherries-scented nose with hints of cedar, toast, cracked pepper and Provence herbs. While the oak is still standing out slightly in the mouth, this is backed up by tons of rich, seductive, mouth-coating fruit and firm, rounded tannins, with just enough acid in the very long finish. This is a truly great RWT!
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Wine Spectator
Bold and dense, with sink-your-teeth-into-them tannins and a wallop of flavors, offering cherry and berry notes and plenty of persistence. Cigar box, vanilla bean and sandalwood notes linger on the finish. Drink now through 2030.
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.