Penfolds (Barossa Valley) 2021 RWT 798 Shiraz

Penfolds 2023 allocation is here!

98+ Points - Andrew Caillard MW
19/20 Points - Matthew Jukes, mathewjukes.com
97 Points - Ned Goodwin, jamessuckling.com
98 Points - Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot

Commercial description
"The initials RWT stand for ‘Red Winemaking Trial’, the name given to the project internally when developmental work began in the early 1990s. Naturally, now no longer a ‘trial’, RWT Shiraz was launched in May 2000 with the 1997 vintage. The alphanumeric Bin designation 798 was bestowed upon the wine from the 2016 vintage. Stylistically, RWT is contemporary, opulent and finely tuned. An interesting contrast to the well-established Grange, which is a more concentrated, muscular and assertive style. RWT is made from Barossa Valley shiraz grapes primarily selected for their aromatic qualities, varietal typicity, fine tannins and plush texture. Maturation in French oak provides another contrast to Grange. The result is a wine that redefines Barossa Valley shiraz at the highest quality level. While delightfully approachable on release, RWT Bin 798 has the concentration and balance to age for many years.

GRAPE VARIETY Shiraz
VINEYARD REGION Barossa Valley
WINE ANALYSIS Alc/Vol: 14.5%, Acidity: 6.5 g/L, pH: 3.69
MATURATION 14 months in French oak hogsheads (80% new, 20% 1-y.o.)

An epic RWT, multi-layered, Barossa terroir expressed through a Penfolds/French oak lens."

PEAK DRINKING 2025 – 2055

Penfolds (Eden Valley) 2023 Bin 51 Riesling

Penfolds 2023 Allocation is here

18 Points - Matthew Jukes
"23 bin 51 has stunning purity and directness with a tenderness I havent seen before at this early stage of this wines life. Pretty, Clean, lemony and chalky, there is more flesh than pith in this wine. Mesmerising and ridiculosly yummy already, this is as teasing a start to a collection tasting as I have ever experienced. Drink now - 2032"

Created in the 1990’s as part of the evolving Penfolds white wine development program, Bin 51 captures many attributes of the Eden Valley locale. The region’s high altitude and cool-climate induces riesling with great finesse and elegance with a capacity for long-term cellaring. South Australia has gained worldwide recognition for producing definitive world-class riesling and Eden Valley always features. In their youth, the wines possess scented floral and citrus aromas, with a mineral edge and marked natural acidity, contributing significantly to the palate texture and flavour.

Drinking well now, but will improve with time.

Penfolds (South Australia) 2020 St Henri Shiraz

2023 Penfolds Allocation is here!

95 Points - Decanter, Tina Gellie
96 Points - Wine Pilot, Dave Brookes
19+/20 Points - Matthew Jukes
96 Points - Andrew Caillard MW

Commercial description
"The fruit profile is a delight, oak playing no role in the aromatics. Shiraz, unadulterated! The descriptors need to be coaxed from the glass with a gentle swirl. Fruits of the forest are first to emerge, berry conserve, strawberry flan and rhubarb tart. There is a hit of confectionary, reminiscent of red glace cherries. Savoury notes include German Blutwurst spiced sausage, pan scrapings from roast lamb and salt cured beef with black peppercorns. Ferric notes of iron filings and whetstone swarf round out an impressive showing. PALATE True to form, the palate is quite savoury. Japanese nori paper and olive brine offer a very morish umami nuance. Fresh blueberry and mulberry leaf anchor the core of the mid-palate. Exotic spices adding intrigue, Alleppey turmeric, toasted cumin, pimento. The tannins are very tactile, comparable to Dutch cocoa. A classic St Henri that will reward extended time in the cellar."

VINEYARD REGION McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley
WINE ANALYSIS Alc/Vol: 14.5%, Acidity: 6.6 g/L, pH: 3.62
MATURATION 12 months in large seasoned oak vats
PEAK DRINKING Now – 2050