SHIRAZ AND BLENDS
Penfolds RWT Bin 798 Shiraz 2022
Deep crimson. Lovely dark cherry, blackberry, hint ginger aromas with underlying marzipan notes. Beautifully balanced wine with ample dark cherry, blackberry fruits, slinky, loose-knit chocolaty/fine-grained textures and superbly integrated marzipan toasty, vanilla oak. Finishes claret firm with malty/espresso notes. The tannins are exquisitely lithe and supple and the fruit is perfectly offset by new French oak. A standout and lasting vintage showing superb vineyard provenance and hallmark Penfolds styling. Drink now–2050 14.5% alc Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz 2008 Medium-deep crimson. Fresh blackberry pastille, espresso, roasted chestnut, vanilla, hint marzipan with wax polish, herb notes. Superbly balanced wine with deep-set blackberry pastille, dark chocolate, roasted coffee flavours, fine chalky tannins and well-balanced vanilla marzipan roasted chestnut, hint coconut notes. Builds up graphite/chocolaty firm with seductive sweet fruits and lovely mineral length. Lovely density, richness, and torque. This is in a really great place. I tasted the 2008 Hill of Grace mid-last year within the context of a vertical tasting, but here on its own it impressively evokes the essence of vineyard site and the character of the Henschke style of winemaking. Should last a great distance. Henschke-embossed bottle. Vino-lok seal. Drink now–2040 14.5% alc Chris Ringland Barossa Ranges Shiraz 2016 Medium-deep crimson. Beautiful pure blackberry pastille, dark chocolate, vanilla, hint marzipan aromas with touches of wax polish, liquorice. Generously concentrated wine with pure blackberry, dark chocolate flavours, superbly balanced marzipan, vanilla, malt notes and fine chocolaty, touch ferruginous textures. Liquorice notes at the finish. The oak melts into the fruit and the fruit folds into the tannins. Despite a whopping 17.9% alc the wine is balanced, buoyant and alive. Not Port- like at all. This is an exceptional vintage for Chris Ringland. Decant some hours in advance as it really does open up into something special. Drink 2026–2042 17.9% alc G 98+
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The Vintage Journal – Regional Focus
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