2007 RWT Shiraz

In contrast to the almost un-oaked St Henri and the American oaked Grange, the 2007 Penfolds Shiraz RWT - meaning “Red Wine Trial” - is the estate’s take on Barossa valley Shiraz aged in French oak. Matured for 13 months in 71% new French oak barrels, the wine yields expressive, spice-laced aromas of ripe berry fruits, crème de cassis, toast, and chocolate nuances on the nose. This is followed by a full bodied, beautifully textured and balanced wine that has a round, fleshy profile, solid concentration, notable structure, and very long, classically styled finish. While certainly no harm in drinking now, I like the structure here and this should continue to evolve for 4-5 years and have a very long drink window.

Deep, bright ruby. Sexy, perfumed scents of blackcurrant preserves, cherry-cola, mocha and violet, with a suave smokiness arriving with aeration. Juicy and silky in texture, with deep dark fruit and spice flavors framed by gentle tannins. The cola and floral notes repeat on the finish, which lingers with excellent persistence and a resonating spicy quality. This wine will be approachable in its youth but also has the balance to age. This year's version saw 71% new French oak.

The 2007 RWT Shiraz is 100% Barossa Valley Shiraz matured 13 months in French hogsheads, 71% new. Very deep garnet-purple colored, it presents youthfully mute aromas of warm blackberries, stewed plums, kirsch, cedar and cloves with an array of Indian spices opening out with air. In the full-bodied mouth it gives very firm, coarsely grained tannins, very crisp acid and good concentration, finishing long and chewy. It should be more open and approachable after a year or two in bottle, drinking to 2022+. ||With a lot of changes happening around the Foster’s Group, it is business as usual at Penfolds…which seems to operate within its own world. But this is no small world. The vineyard holdings here are vast and the connections with growers go back generations. Chief winemaker Peter Gago is the very well spoken front-man for the production team backed-up Kym Schroeter in charge of the whites and Steve Lienert crafting some very fine, consistent and sometimes inspired reds. If Champagne is all about the art of blending, then Penfolds is the Champagne of Australian wine. Those that think large companies producing wines that emphasize blending can’t make great wines need to think about the Champagne model or simply try some of Penfolds top wines to become believers. That said – check out their recent single vineyard release: the very special 2004 Block 42 Kalimna Cabernet Sauvignon, the first release of a wine made purely from this 100+ year old single block (perhaps the oldest block of Cabernet in the world?) since 1996. Wine Advocate.December, 2010