The 2016 vintage provided an ideal opportunity to create a bona fide Penfolds Special Bin, rare and true to the Penfolds ‘House Style’. Two special Shiraz single-vineyard parcels were blended to create something beguilingly beautiful and different. The impact of the much-touted 2016 South Australian vintage on two vineyards from time-proven Grange growers has produced a Penfolds Shiraz of superb structure, balance and varietal definition.
Both single-vineyard parcels reveal their own regional truths, highlighting the spoils of Clare Valley and Barossa Valley. This wine sensorial and structurally delivers more than the sum of its parts. Framed by French oak, the assemblage of Shiraz is altogether different.
Indeed, an authentic Penfolds Special Bin that will reward and evolve with careful cellaring.
Additional details
Cellaring:
Will develop and evolve for many decades with careful cellaring. Peak drinking window 2022 - 2046.
Nose:
Via reference: 54% Clare Valley, 46% Barossa Valley. Via glass: 100% Penfolds.
Clare aromatics immediately evident ...iodine, caper berries and grated dark chocolate.
In parallel ... a concession of powerful, generous Barossa bread and butter pudding and blueberry fruits.
‘Cross-over’ Moroccan spices – cumin, fresh cardamom, turmeric – may have entwined to reinterpret source, but not variety. Oak? Conceded. Just.
Palate:
Velvety. Completely engulfs. Tempers palate ... doesn’t attack or intimidate with alcohol or extract.
A mix of bitter chocolate dust, wet bitumen and a maelstrom of dark fruits reflect the wine’s age and confirm derivation.
And just what is that underlying almost molasses, not quite maple syrup richness? Best guess – a sweet soy, kecap manis shiraz flavour.
Oak? Crafted and assembled so deftly, somehow perceptually dovetailed into tannins and infused into acidity. No gaps, no rough edges. Harmonious.
Varietal Composition:
Shiraz
