2019 Penfolds FWT 585 Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Petit Verdot Haut Medoc – France
G 95
Medium-deep crimson. Fresh inky blackcurrant, dark plum aromas with chinotto, hint roasted chestnut, malty notes. Classical claret-style palate with fresh blackcurrant, dark plum fruits, fine slinky/ grainy tannins, very good mid-palate richness and underlying roasted chestnut/ mocha notes. Finishes cedar firm with chinotto, dark fruits. Very smooth, supple and detailed with attractive volume and vigour. An impressive first edition showing clear regional origins and a sotto voce Penfolds imprint. Discrete, precise and approachable. 100% maturation for 14 months in new French (44%) and new American (14%) oak. Penfolds first Bordeaux claret! Drink now to 2030. alc 14%
2019 Penfolds II Dourthe x Penfolds Cabernet Shiraz Merlot Bordeaux, France & Barossa Valley, Australia blend
G 94
Deep crimson. Intense blackcurrant, dark plum, dark chocolate aromas with roasted chestnut, malty oak notes. Full-bodied claret style with abundant blackcurrant, dark plum, mulberry, cedar flavours, chocolaty textures, malty, roasted chestnut notes, and integrated mineral acidity. Very generous and classically Penfolds, with meaty, barrel ferment notes and prominent malt/ mocha oak dominating the palate. Finishes chocolaty firm. A largely successful experimental blend, although elemental and unformed. Should settle down in a few more years. Maturation in new French (70%) and new American (30%) oak barriques and hogsheads. Blended and bottled in South Australia. Drink 2026–2038 14% alc
14
The Vintage Journal – Verticals
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