Penfolds RWT BV Shiraz 2017

$164.99

SKU: 0-12354-07260-2 Categories: , , , , , , Tags: ,

Description

Penfolds RWT BV Shiraz 2017

96pts – Wine Spectator

Tasting Note

Offers a lush, juicy mix of blackberry, blueberry and black cherry flavors that appears seamless, integrating with notes of amaretto, clove and lavender. Plush, juicy and very generous on the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2034. 1,156 cases imported. — MW

 

HISTORY

The initials RWT stand for ‘Red Winemaking Trial’, the name given to the project internally when developmental work began in 1995. Naturally, now no longer a ‘Trial’ RWT Shiraz was launched in May 2000 with the 1997 vintage.

They have the precision, concentration, persistency and balance to age for many years. The best vintages should last at least thirty years.

RWT Bin 798 Barossa Valley Shiraz 2017

Penfolds RWT Shiraz presents an admirable alternative to the multi-regional sourcing and American oak maturation that are hallmarks of Grange, expressing instead, single-region Barossa Valley Shiraz matured only in French oak.

Its style is opulent and fleshy, contrasting with Grange, which is more muscular and assertive. RWT is made from fruit primarily selected for its aromatic qualities and fine texture. The result is a wine that helps to redefine Barossa Shiraz at the highest quality level.

NOSE

Vibrant. Red earth / ’Barossa dirt’ regional cues not hindered by a 15-month sojourn in French oak. Initially, a lift of trademark tar/bitumen and subtle V.A. … above scents of assorted carpaccio meats, steak tartare, green olive, capers, rosemary. Upon sitting/swirling, patisserie scents of almond croissant, cinnamon bun … and perhaps crème brûlée glaze (oak-derived?). To repeat, very Barossa!

PALATE

A firm and binding structure, medium-bodied. Focused/defined, yet still generous. Mouth-watering acidity clutching opulent fruits renders an impressive pathway cleaved across front/middle/back palate … a pathway all ably assisted by chalky tannins and absorbed integrated oak. Currently youthful and energetic, yet this vintage already impatiently awaits its secondary and tertiary maturation phases.

WHEN TO DRINK

Continue cellaring. Peak drinking window Now – 2037.

WINEMAKER QUOTES

“Be quick – yet another small-parcel RWT release of lower volume than Grange. Sssh.”

“No longer a trial. A reality. A RWT dream run, 1997 > 2017 without a vintage or quality miss.”

Peter Gago, Penfolds Chief Winemaker

SCORES

98 Points – James Halliday

96 Points – Andrew Caillard MW

96 Points – Angus Hughson

96 Points – Tony Love