Penfolds has released a stellar line-up of reds and whites for holiday quaffing, says Des Houghton.<\/p>\n
A tasting of two supremely glamourous superblends of cabernet sauvignon and shiraz was one of the highlights of my wine year.<\/p>\n
Penfolds was in a creative mood designing both these experimental blockbusters to stand alongside its iconic Grange.<\/p>\n
Penfolds 2018 802A Cabernet Shiraz (68% cabernet, 32% shiraz) was unashamedly bold said the firms chief winemaker Peter Gago. 802A components were aged separately in new American oak for 22 months prior to blending.<\/p>\n
There are scents of cola and exotic spice leading to a palate of blood plum, fig and goji berries that add notes of cranberry and cherries.<\/p>\n
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Penfolds 2018 802B Cabernet Shiraz (55% cabernet, 45% shiraz) was treated entirely differently with the components co-fermented in French oak for 19 months.<\/p>\n
Scents of blackberry, spice and milk chocolate billow from the glass. Gagos tasting notes speak of a fruit-driven wine with a savoury demeanour; a textural dryness and a sprinkle of chocolate dust and sweet paprika.<\/p>\n
The superblends were released in Adelaide alongside the 70th anniversary vintage of Grange.<\/p>\n
The Grange ($950) may be this nations ultimate expression of hedonism, but there are more affordable options. <\/p>\n
A personal favourite is Penfolds Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz 2019 ($99.99), an unashamedly old-fashioned Barossa shiraz with sweet, inky, juicy fruit with spicy oak and fine tannins.<\/p>\n
Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2018 ($135) is a multi-regional blend and this is a superb vintage, effortless, and mouth-watering.<\/p>\n
Penfolds Bin 28 Shiraz 2019 ($45) is another gutsy, old fashioned offering to be devoured by red meat lovers.<\/p>\n
Some said Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 2019 ($175) was the white wine of the year. Agreed. Its elegant and refined.<\/p>\n
On the nose Yattarna delivers a wet stone minerality. On the palate there are citrus, white peach, pear and nectarine flavours. While Yattarna is a multi-regional blend the Penfolds Reserve Bin A Chardonnay 2020 ($125) is solely from Adelaide Hills fruit.<\/p>\n
Bin A is more ostentatious. It and the Yattarna will improve with age. There was more peach and nectarine on the palate and a talc and chalk minerality in Penfolds Bin 311 Chardonnay 2020 ($50).<\/p>\n
Schroeter and his team were also responsible for the Penfolds Bin 51 Eden Valley Riesling ($40). Cool fermentation and early bottling preserve the fruit quality. Bin 51 smells vaguely of lemon curd, honey and poached pears, and delivers attractive lime and barley water flavours..<\/p>\n
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Penfolds releases glamorous holiday line up of red and white wines - Sky News Australia<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Penfolds has released a stellar line-up of reds and whites for holiday quaffing, says Des Houghton. Continue reading