

Vintage: 2023
Source/Region: Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Padthaway
Grape Variety: Shiraz
Cellaring: Drink now or cellar long term
Bottle Top: Stelvin
Alcohol Content: 14.50
Standard Drinks: 8.60
Purple core with a red rim. The bouquet unfolds with an array of decadent aromatics, reminiscent of a French pâtisserie. A blend of baking spices emerges first, with cinnamon sugar, sweet custard, and the warmth of Chelsea tea cakes. Next, a berry pudding note emerges, with a compote of red and black fruits. Skillet-roasted meat and herb-infused pan scrapings are present. An indulgent sweet note of blueberry pie rounds out a complex, inviting aroma profile that is unmistakably Penfolds.
Blue fruits instantly emerge, specifically elderberries, blueberries, and bilberries. Poached plums merge with the exotic spiciness of cassia bark, imparting rich flavours. A hint of meat adds depth and character to the profile. The mouthfeel is sculpted by chocolate powder tannins, which are luxurious and precise, lending a structure that is both assertive and velvety. Also present is the umami complexity of tomato consommé, enriched with piquant olive tapenade. The palate is further textured by a ferrous minerality.
The 2023 growing season in Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Padthaway, and Wrattonbully was a year of overcoming climatic challenges, yet the results speak to the skill of our vineyard teams and the dedication of the growers. The Barossa Valley’s winter rainfall was near average. A cooler spring, punctuated by a series of thunderstorms, delayed flowering and fruit set. Viticulturalists were on high alert with rainfall well above longterm average. Conditions improved with the onset of summer and a return to milder weather. The harvest saw moderate temperatures that resulted in a later-than-usual harvest of highquality Shiraz. The extra hang time encouraged the development of distinctive varietal characteristics. McLaren Vale also experienced significant rainfall in the growing season, leading to cooler-than-average temperatures, which affected flowering and reduced yields. However, a warmer, drier summer allowed the vines to recover, and the cool harvest yielded Shiraz with concentrated flavours and ripe tannins. Padthaway also had above-average rainfall and cooler spring temperatures, which delayed the phenological stages. Despite this, the region avoided significant frost events and the harvest produced exceptional Shiraz grapes picked in an orderly fashion. Wrattonbully faced similar conditions with above-average rainfall, leading to a cooler, wetter start to the season. This resulted in a prolonged vintage and slower ripening rates. Nonetheless, high-quality blocks adapted well, performing admirably in the prevailing conditions.
96 Point Rated - Lisa Cardelli WinePilot
“A very considered medley of black and blue fruit emerges at the first look, with a glimpse of black cherries and elderberries. Just give it some time, and it will show you what it is capable of: carob, rolled tobacco leaf, spearmint, polished new leather, and olive tapenade. You named it; you have it. Every sniff delivers a new aroma. Such a captivating nose. Tannins are monumental, with the right degree of fruit bitterness; the acidity sustains the structure. Leave this wine in the glass for a while before savoring it; it holds up well to oxygen, improving with time.”
95 Point Rated - Andrew Caillard MW
“Deep crimson. Intense black cherry / kirsch, blackberry, dark chocolate aromas with attractive herb / chinotto notes. Inky deep and generous with loverly blackberry, black cherry, mulberry fruits, fresh supple chocolaty tannins and well-integrated roasted walnut / hint marzipan notes. Builds up brambly firm at the finish with seductive bittersweet notes. Buoyant, exuberant and voluminous with an underlying brambly vigour. Drinking well now but should further develop oer the medium term. Drink now – 2037.”
95 Point Rated - Ray Jordan Wine Pilot
95 Point Rated - Dave Brooke Halliday Wine Companion
"Deep crimson with a strong aromatic profile of blackberry, black cherry and blueberry studded with mixed spice, blackforest cake, roasting meats, panforte, dark chocolate and earth. Plenty of depth and latent fruit power with this release; perhaps a little more power than last year's model, with fine, strong tannins supporting the fruit beautifully. A strong release for the Bin 28 Shiraz."
Gold Medal
James Halliday Wine Companion
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