92 Points - James Halliday

"86/14%, from Padthaway, McLaren Vale, Wrattonbully, Barossa Valley, Langhorne Creek and Robe, matured for 12 months in used French and American oak. The bouquet has all the charcuterie aromas in the book, the full-bodied palate dutifully following the course set by the bouquet, and adding plum cake and a dash of licorice; the tannins do their own work as well as that usually provided by Penfolds oak. A little rustic? Yes, but happy in its own skin, and could spring a major surprise with age."

90 Points - Lisa Perrotti-Brown Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"Containing 14% Mataro, the 2013 Shiraz / Mataro Bin 2 reveals a deep garnet-purple and earthy, tar and black tea notes over a core of asphalt and mulberries. Full-bodied, rich, velvety and yet firmly constructed, it has a long, earthy / savory finish with some aniseed notes."

90 Points - Natalie MacLean

"A full-bodied Australian red wine blend of traditional Rhone varieties: Shiraz (about 90%) and Mourvèdre (about 10%) grapes with terrific structure and depth. Judicious use of oak wraps around blackberries and some dark spice notes. The wine was aged in second use American oak barrels. A pleasantly long, dry finish. Another classic red from Australia. Perfect for grilled meats: smooth yet robust. Finishes with dark fruits, pepper and spice. Pair with braised meats or stew."

90 Points - Campbell Mattinson

"It’s made from grapes grown far and wide – Padthaway, McLaren Vale, Wrattonbully, Barossa Valley, Langhorne Creek and Robe – and is widely available: I picked this up in a BWS. It’s matured in both French and American oak. It’s a hearty drop with a veneer of creamy oak; it won’t excite anyone but it will satisfy most lovers of Australian red wine. It smells and tastes of cloves, smoked meats, blackberries and plums, and while there is a run of dry, grainy tannin the smoothness of fruit and oak is the main show here. You wouldn’t call this plump but you would call it gutsy. And warm. It’s a reliable, well-made Penfolds red."