| 2008-01-30 13:07 |
IWC:
By Josh Raynolds
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Issue #133, July/August 2007)
(Penfolds Wines Shiraz RWT Barossa Valley) ($82) Deep ruby. Expansive, seductive bouquet of red and dark berries, with sexy vanillin oak spice, floral oils and graphite adding complexity. Lush and creamy but lively too, with energetic blackberry and mulberry flavors, exotic Asian spice accents and fine-grained, harmonious tannins. Suave mocha and candied licorice appear on the long, juicy finish. This is absolutely lovely right now, with no edginess or herbal notes, but will clearly repay a decade-plus in the cellar. 93 points |
| 2008-01-30 13:08 |
WA: The 2004 Shiraz “RWT” was barrel-fermented and aged for 14 months in 69% new French oak. Opaque purple-colored, it delivers an expressive nose of smoke, leather, grilled bacon, game, blueberry, and licorice. Full-bodied, it is dense, ripe, and layered as well as opulent. More forward than the Magill Estate, this hedonistic Shiraz can be enjoyed now but will continue to evolve for another 8-10 years. Penfolds, arguably Australia’s most famous winery, continues to perform at a high level under the leadership of Head Winemaker, Peter Gago. Importer: Southcorp Wines USA; www.penfolds.com.au Also tasted: 2006 Chardonnay “Thomas Hyland” (84), 2004 Shiraz “Bin 128” Coonawarra (84) |