2024 Penfolds Release

180th Anniversary Release

 (1844-2024)
‘A classic and stylish Penfold’s release.’

Penfolds Australian Collection - 2024

2022 Penfolds RWT Bin 798 Shiraz – 99 points

2021 Penfolds St Henri Shiraz – 98+ points

2020 Penfolds Bin 95 Grange Shiraz – 98 points

2022 Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz - 98 points

2022 Penfolds Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz - 96 points

2022 Penfolds Bin 28 Shiraz - 96 points

2021 Penfolds Bin 180 Cabernet Sauvignon – 96 points

2022 Penfolds Bin 169 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon – 95 points

2022 Penfolds Bin 144 Yattarna Chardonnay - 95 points

2022 Penfolds Bin 138 Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro - 95 points

2022 Penfolds Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz, Coonawarra - 95 points

2022 Penfolds Bin 311 Chardonnay – 94+ points

2024 Penfolds Bin 51 Riesling – 94+ points

2022 Penfolds Magill Estate Shiraz - 94 points

2022 Penfolds Reserve Bin A Chardonnay - 93 points

2022 Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon - 93 points

2023 Penfolds Bin 23 Pinot Noir - 92 points

2023 Penfolds Bin 21 Grenache – 91 points

Penfolds France Collection - 2024

2014 Champagne Thienot x Penfolds Blanc de Blancs – 95 points

2014 Champagne Thienot x Penfolds Blanc de Noirs – 94 points

2022 Penfolds II Cabernet Sauvignon – 94 points

2022 FWT 585 Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot Merlot -  93 points

Penfolds Californian Collection – 2024

2021 Penfolds Howell Mountain, Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc – 97 points

2021 Penfolds Bin 704 Cabernet Sauvignon – 96 points

2021 Penfolds Bin 600 Cabernet Shiraz – 95 points

2021 Penfolds Bin 149 Cabernet Sauvignon - 95 points

Penfolds China Collection – 2024

2022 Penfolds CWT Cabernet Sauvignon Marselan – 94 points

Overview - Penfold’s Collection 2024 Release

The much-anticipated 2024 Penfolds Release follows just a few weeks after the visit of the Chinese Premier Li Qiang to Penfolds Magill Estate in Adelaide and the announcement of a return to normal wine trade with China. The 212% Chinese Tariffs on Australian wine, which had been foisted on the wine industry in 2020, dramatically curtailed trade, highlighted an over dependency on the China market and underscored the industry’s vulnerability to outside forces and government policy. Although exports have recommenced, wine trade with China will never be quite the same. Nonetheless some Australian wine brands will bounce back to a meaningful level, despite signals of a patchy and sluggish wine market. Despite the tariffs and consequent trading difficulties, Penfolds has not lost its cachet in China. It is one of few widely known Australian wine brands and one of the relatively few marques that offer currency in secondary markets, both legitimate and illegal.

The story of Penfolds, the quality and singularity of the wines, the personalities, the luxury positioning and track record as a collectible are all factors that contribute to the brand’s resilience and attraction. Throughout the dismal years of Covid and official ghosting, Penfolds took the time to regroup and recalibrate. The development of its beyond borders Country of Origin wines highlighted an enlightened and engaging pathway into insular markets. The Californian project is twenty years old and the wines resonate that commitment and effort. The China and France red wine projects have some way to go but the wines are very good and standards are being set. The Thienot Penfolds Champagne collaboration is an obvious exception and has yielded some really expressive and impressive wines already. By emphasising Grand Cru Vineyard origins, this nascent co-branding, highlights an ambition to occupy the Champagne category’s high ground. Meanwhile Penfolds has worked thoroughly to build its deluxe reputation in Australia and traditional markets, while also working to establish new relationships with a younger and curious generation.

As is typical, in most years there is a media fanfare and wide customer interest surrounding the Penfolds Collection. But this year the stakes seem higher than normal. The stabilising rapprochement with China represents an opportunity to regain market position in that market, while engagement with La Place de Bordeaux offers a chance to infiltrate markets that have been previously on the sidelines. The luxury positioning of the Penfolds brand is also achieving greater traction and this is to the benefit of the Australian wine industry at large.

The launch of the 2024 Penfolds Collection is a positive reminder that the Australian Wine Industry is making very high-quality wine that can be matched with the great houses of Europe and beyond. While the Penfolds brand has made significant steps to become an international wine producer, its values are steeped in Australian winemaking methods and a house style developed over several generations. The 2024 Penfolds Collection comprises 28 wines and this is likely to increase in the years ahead. Ultimately this is a classic and stylish Penfold’s release highlighting the best of both world’s – house style and vineyard provenance.

2024 Penfolds Australian Collection Release

Hinged on the outstanding 2022 South Australian red wine vintage and peppered with a classic 2021 St Henri Shiraz and ultra-polished 2020 Grange Bin 95 Shiraz, the 2024 Penfolds Collection release highlights precision resourcing, a cohesive winemaking team and the timeless nature of the Penfolds House Style (developed by Max Schubert during the 1950s and improved upon over the decades by his successors).

The Grange-like but French-oak matured 2022 Penfolds Bin 798 RWT Shiraz (99) and the brilliant 2021 Penfolds St Henri Shiraz (98+) are my top wines from this release. They are both wonderful expressions of South Australian shiraz and should develop superbly with further bottle age.

The classical and beautiful 2020 Grange (98), with its abundant dark berry fruits, massive concentration, oak maturation characters and well-integrated chocolaty tannins. possesses the detail and hallmarks of a First Growth Australian red. It has all the cadence and balance for long term aging. In years to come, it may be seen as one of the great vintages.

2021 St Henri Shiraz (98+) is a wonderful vintage; arguably one of the best. The superb ethereal juxtaposition of fruit and tannin bring an extra complexity and interest. This could well be compared to the glorious 2010 vintage in terms of its cellaring potential.

The impactful and beautifully balanced 2021 Bin 180 Cabernet Sauvignon (96), bottled to celebrate Penfolds’ 180th Anniversary this year, highlights top-notch Coonawarra provenance and intuitive winemaking.

The 2022 Penfolds Bin Series red wines are generally warm, generous and saturated and show typicity, refinement and balance.

2022 Bin 798 Shiraz (99) is a brilliant wine with cascades of dark berry fruits and perfectly integrated new French oak. The fruit and tannins are neatly aligned giving the wine a continuous and unbroken line. It has a Grange-like stature that suggests a long life ahead. It is one of the standout wines of the release and the 2022 Barossa vintage. Its sibling wine 2022 Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz (96) also highlights the region’s provenance and the results of a successful growing season.

2022 Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz (98) lives up to its reputation as the second wine to Grange. The wine is superbly refined, generous and chocolaty and will cellar for years to come. In may respects it is the quintessential Penfolds wine offering drinkers the best of craftsmanship, multi-regional sourcing and style. 2022 Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon (97) is excellent and will not disappoint those who are drawn to its classical structure and potential to further develop. Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon (93), which lies in its shadow, is a much grippier beast with very good flow and torque.

The single vineyard 2022 Magill Estate Shiraz (94), inaugurated to save the last few hectares of the original Grange Vineyards, is characterful, well-concentrated and sturdy. It’s one of the better vintages in recent times and should develop well with further cellaring

2022 Bin 28 Shiraz (96) impressively exemplifies the genius of the Penfolds House Style. It is a delicious wine with a superb core of fruit sweetness and chocolaty textures. Its sister-wine Bin 128 Shiraz (95), based on Coonawarra fruit, also resonates well in a more traditional claret style. There is no other region in the world where shiraz shows similar characteristics to cabernet sauvignon. 2022 Bin 138 Grenache Shiraz Mataro (95), is a lovely wine with superb buoyancy of fruit. The Grenache dominance promotes viscosity and generosity on the mid-palate while shiraz and mataro bring richness and vigour. Best to drink early too. 

The 2022 Bin 23 Pinot Noir (91) and 2023 Grenache (92) come with a Penfolds generosity and reliability, but are essentially early drinking wines to slurp rather than ponder. But they do highlight excellent vineyard sourcing and empathetic winemaking.

While the Penfolds Australian red collection is a standout release, the Australian white wines are exemplary rather than brilliant. The 2024 Bin 51 Riesling (94+) is lean and minerally and will develop in the bottle, but its relatively low alcohol (11%) accentuates the al dente textures and crispiness of structure. 2022 Bin 144 Yattarna (95) is also highly refined and textural but track record shows that its trajectory is upwards. The palate will develop and expand with a few years and it will be worth the wait. 2022 Reserve Series Chardonnay (93) is probably this year’s dark horse wine. Its clean as a whistle and has plenty of energy, but it seems unevolved. It might have been knocked around at bottling just five weeks earlier, so it may prove to be much better now. 2022 Bin 311 Chardonnay (94+) is probably the best value Penfolds white with very good fruit definition and a compelling highfalutin waxy complexity.

Penfolds Country of Origin Wines

Penfolds Country of Origin wines continue to grow and reshape the Penfolds Collection Annual release.

The Californian collection is particularly strong this year highlighting an extended Penfolds winemaking presence in that State and similarities in wine culture. The outstanding 2021 Howell Mountain Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (97) is one of the stars of the release. 2021 Penfolds Bin 704 Cabernet Sauvignon (96) and 2021 Penfolds Bin 149 Cabernet Sauvignon (95) are also excellent wines.

The France Collection is a work in progress but shows astonishing promise. As one would expect the Thiénot-Penfolds collaboration is successfully producing classical Champagne styles. The Bordeaux wines are fascinating to taste. Although they are very good, the best is yet to come. Already there is a full time Penfolds winemaker in the Medoc and more investment is underway.  2014 Champagne Thiénot x Penfolds Blanc de Blancs (96) and 2022 Penfolds II (94) are the highlights.

Lastly the lovely 2022 CWT Cabernet Sauvignon Marsellan (94) reemphasises the fidelity of the Penfolds style of winemaking and multi-regional vineyard sourcing.

Tasting Notes

In order of tasting - 3rd July 2024
Penfolds Kalimna Homestead – Barossa Valley – South Australia

2014 Champagne Thiénot x Penfolds Blanc de Blancs – Avize Grand Cru, Champagne - France

Medium pale colour. Intense apricot, marzipan nougat, tonic water aromas. Creamy and textural with fresh apricot, lemon curd, marzipan, nougat flavours, fine slinky bittersweet textures and fresh persistent acidity and bubbles. Finishes minerally and long. Superb complexity, linear freshness and flow. Zero dosage, Drink now – keep for a while 12.3% alc 96 points

2014 Champagne Thiénot x Penfolds Blanc de Noirs – AŸ Grand Cru, Champagne - France

Medium pale colour. White peach, strawberry, fruit salad, marzipan aromas. Supple and well concentrated with dense stone fruits, strawberry, marzipan, hint toasty flavours, fine al-dente textures and fresh long indelible touch hard acidity. Chewy and minerally at the finish. Zero dosage. 11.8 % alc 94 points

2024 Penfolds Bin 51 Riesling, Eden Valley – South Australia

Pale almost watery colour. Lovely intense and lifted lime zest, lemon curd, mandarin, orange blossom aromas. Classical lime pastille, lemon curd, touch camomile, hint ginger flavours, fine loose knit chalky textures and fresh long pure quartz acidity. Finishes al-dente and minerally.  Beautifully balanced and flavourful wine with lovely fruit definition and purity. Should develop well with bottle age. Drink now - 2030 11% alc 94+ points

2023 Penfolds 311 Chardonnay, south-eastern Australia

Pale colour. Lovely apricot, peach touch waxy aromas with hints of lime. Well-rounded and creamy style with ample white and yellow fruits, fine supple textures, some waxy, hint roasted almond notes and well balanced fresh long acidity. Flavourful, slinky and bitter-sweet at the finish with tonic water notes. An outstanding wine for this price point. Drink now – keep for a while. 13% alc 94+ points

2023 Penfolds Reserve Bin A Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills South Australia

Pale colour. Fresh grapefruit, lemon curd, touch honeycomb aromas with hints of tonic water and flint. Pure grapefruit, lemon pastille flavours, fine lacy textures, some mid-palate richness and long mineral acidity. Al dente, slinky finish with bitter lime notes. Expressive and taut with understated power. Should evolve with a touch of bottle age. Echoes rather than resonates. Drink 2025 – 2030. 12.5% alc 93 points

2022 Penfolds Bin 144 Yattarna Chardonnay, south-eastern Australia

Pale colour. Pure grapefruit, white peach aromas with flint, marzipan notes. Beautifully concentrated grapefruit, white peach, apricot flavours, fine supple bittersweet textures and fresh pure quartz acidity. Very pure and textural yet has power and superb mineral length. Should develop very well. Tumbarumba - New South Wales, Tasmania, Adelaide Hills - South Australia. Drink now – but best after 2026 – 2038 12.5% alc 95 points

2021 Penfolds FWT 585 Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot Merlot - Vin de France

Deep crimson. Intense black cherry, cedarwood, herb garden aromas with chinotto notes. Fresh, well concentrated and juicy black cherry, black berry pastille fruits, underlying cedarwood notes and fine loose knit grippy notes. Finishes grippy/ chewy and crisp with seductive dark berry fruits.  Should build complexity and balance with some bottle age. Bordeaux region vineyards. 78% cabernet sauvignon, 14% petit Verdot, 8% merlot. FWT = French Wine Trial. 2025 – 2034 13.5% alc 93 points

2022 Penfolds II Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux Coonawarra Blend - France & Australia

Deep crimson. Lovely intense blackcurrant, dark chocolate, marzipan, vanilla aromas with touch of cola/ chinotto/herbs. Inky deep wine with dense blackcurrant, black cherry, praline flavours, fine chocolaty/ grippy/ touch leafy tannins and well-balanced marzipan, vanilla, roasted chestnut notes. A claret firm chewy finish with persistent fresh acidity. Penfolds x Dourthe collaboration. 64% Bordeaux 32% Coonawarra. Drink 2026 – 2034 13.5% alc 94 points

2022 Penfolds CWT Cabernet Sauvignon Marselan, Shangri-La (Yunnan Province) & Ningxia – People’s Republic of China

Medium deep crimson. Fresh dark plum, herb-garden aromas with bay leaf, garrigue notes. Well concentrated and supple with ample dark plum, dark cherry, vanilla flavours, fine loose knit gravelly tannins and a touch of wet bitumen/ geosmine. Finishes cedar firm and minerally with stewed plum notes. 77% cabernet sauvignon 23% marsellan. CWT = China Wine Trial. Drink now - 2030 14.5% alc 94 points

2021 Penfolds Howell Mountain, Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley

Deep crimson. Beautiful blackcurrant pastille, wax polish graphite aromas with vanilla, roasted chestnut notes. Classically structured wine with superb blackcurrant pastille, dark plum fruits, cedar/ al-dente tannins, superb mid palate volume and underlying marzipan roasted chestnut notes, chocolatey firm at the finish. Lovely volume, richness and torque. Drinking really well now but should age for the long term. A standout wine. 78% cabernet sauvignon 22% cabernet franc. Drink now – 2040 14.5% alc 97 points

2021 Penfolds Bin 600 Cabernet Shiraz, Napa Valley & Paso Robles - California

Deep crimson. Intense inky dark cherry, cassis, blackberry aromas with dark chocolate herb garden notes. Generous dark cherry, blackcurrant, blackberry, dark chocolate flavours, fine dense gravelly tannins and well-balanced marzipan, vanilla oak notes. Chocolaty firm at the finish with bittersweet cedar/ chinotto notes. Elemental wine that should fold into shape with a few years of bottle age. But very good volume, density and fruit sweetness. 85% cabernet sauvignon, 15% shiraz. Drink 2026 – 2040 14.5% alc 95 points

2021 Penfolds Bin 704 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley - California

Deep crimson. Attractive dark cherry, cassis, cedar aromas with marzipan hint sage notes. Beautifully concentrated and balanced wine with ample dark cherry, blackcurrant flavours, fine chocolaty/ al dente tannins and underlying roasted chestnut vanilla notes. Leafy sapid finish with hint aniseed notes. Cabernet for cabernet lovers! Drink 2026 – 2042 14.5% alc 96 points

2021 Penfolds Bin 149 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley California - South Australia blend

Deep crimson. Intense elderberry, cassis, black cherry inky aromas with underlying vanilla roasted almond notes. Dense and compact with abundant dark cherry, blackcurrant pastille fruits, fine chewy firm textures and well-balanced vanilla, marzipan oak notes, Some cedar/ grip at the finish. Lovely complexity, density and drive. Should last a few decades at least. 91% cabernet sauvignon 9% cabernet franc Drink 2026 – 2045 14.5% alc 95 points

2023 Penfolds Bin 23 Pinot Noir, Tasmania

Medium crimson. Lovely pure red cherry, strawberry, hint blue fruit aromas with herb garden, cola notes. Generously concentrated pure red cherry, strawberry fruits with negroni/ Campari like complexity, fine lacy textures, lovely mid palate viscosity and well-balanced acidity. Uncomplicated but well balanced and delicious early drinking style. Drink now – keep for a while 13.5% alc 92 points

2023 Penfolds Bin 21 Grenache, Barossa Valley McLaren Vale blend – South Australia

Medium crimson. Perfumed musky plum, red cherry aromas with hints of roasted walnuts and spice. Generous, sweet fruited and sturdy in structure with ample musky plum, red cherry fruits, fine slinky textures, attractive mid palate volume and fresh long acidity. A kick of aniseed at the finish. Vibrant and youthful. Best to drink soon. 14.5% alc 91 points

2022 Penfolds Bin 138 Grenache Shiraz Mataro, Barossa Valley – South Australia

Medium deep crimson. Beautiful inky musky plum, blackberry aromas with hints of bush garrigue. Generous and velvety textured with superb pure dark berry fruits, fine loose knit chocolaty textures, some roasted hazelnut/ walnut/ aniseed notes. Finishes long and sweet with a graphite plume. Best as a medium-term wine but really delicious to drink now. Drink now – 2029 14.5% alc 95 points

2022 Penfolds Bin 128 Shiraz, Coonawarra – South Australia

Deep crimson. Attractive pure cassis, blackberry pastille violet aromas with underlying spice, vanilla notes. Velvety textured and concentrated wine with superb blackcurrant, blackberry, dark cherry fruits, fine grained tannins and well-balanced mocha, vanilla notes. A cedar firm finish with mineral notes. A lovely Bin 128 vintage 14.5% alc 95 points

2022 Penfolds Bin 28 Shiraz, South Australia

Deep crimson. Intense dark cherry, blackberry aromas with dark chocolate/ espresso notes. Richly flavoured wine with superb dark cherry, blackberry fruits, fine chocolaty tannins, wonderful mid-palate richness and well-balanced mocha notes. Finishes bittersweet with chinotto dark berry fruits.  A beautifully balanced wine showing all the hallmarks of the Penfolds house style. McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Padthaway, Wrattonbully. Drink now – 2040 14.5% alc 96 points

2022 Penfolds Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz, Barossa Valley – South Australia

Deep crimson. Fresh blackberry dark chocolate marzipan aromas with geosmine/ graphite notes. Dense velvety wine with dark blackberry, dark chocolate, vanilla, marzipan favours and plentiful fine chocolaty / al dente tannins. Some liquorice at the finish. A beautifully concentrated wine with superb density and torque. Still needs time to integrate but a stylish vintage. Drink 2026 – 2036 14.5% alc 96 points

2022 Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia

Deep crimson. Intense cassis, dark mocha, mint bush garrigue aromas. Generously flavoured but sinewy wine with ample dark berry capsicum chinotto minty flavours, fine chewy/ leafy firm tannins, attractive mid-palate density and underlying savoury notes. Bittersweet at the finish. A vigorous, animated and sinewy cabernet with plenty of richness and flavour. Coonawarra, Padthaway, Wrattonbully, McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley. Drink now – 2030 14.5% alc 93 points

2022 Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, South Australia

Deep crimson. Attractive blackberry dark chocolate, mocha aromas with touches of dried roses and star aniseed. A beautifully balanced wine with deep set blackberry dark cherry fruits, lovely fine chocolaty textures, superb mid-plate volume and underlying mocha/ espresso notes. Concentrated, vigorous and flowing with superb fruit complexity, density and mineral length. Plenty of Baby Grange fat. A magnificent Bin 389 with a long cellaring career ahead. McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Barossa Valley, Padthaway, Wrattonbully. 51% cabernet sauvignon 49% shiraz. Drink now – 2045 14.5% 98 points

2021 Penfolds St Henri Shiraz, South Australia

Deep crimson, Intense dark cherry, blackberry, chinotto aromas with roasted walnut espresso notes. Fresh and voluminous with ample dark cherry, blackberry, cassis flavours, fine loose-knit chocolaty textures and underlying roasted walnut espresso notes. Finishes long and sweet with an inky plume. Seamless and expressive wine with the fruit melting beautifully into the structure. A very impressive St Henri that will stand the test of time. One of the standout wines of the 2024 release. Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale Drink now – 2045 14.5% alc 98+ points

2022 Penfolds Magill Estate, Adelaide – South Australia

Deep crimson. Intense blackberry liquorice aromas with spice mocha notes. Fresh juicy blackberry, black cherry fruits, bittersweet tannins and noticeable marzipan vanilla toasty oak notes. All the elements are in balance but yet to fold and integrate. Finishes long and sweet. Keep for a while.  2026 – 2040 14.5% 94 points

2022 Penfolds Bin 169 Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra – South Australia

Deep crimson. Intense blackcurrant, dark chocolate aromas with cedar, bush garrigue/ hint menthol, chinotto notes.  Classical in structure with inky deep dark cherry, cassis, blackcurrant fruits, fine grainy/ graphite textures and well-balanced marzipan mocha oak notes. Builds up leafy/ grippy firm at the finish with ample pure dark berry fruits and demi-glace nuances. A classic Coonawarra Claret style. Drink Now – 2040 14.5% alc 95 points

2022 Penfolds RWT Bin 798 Shiraz, Barossa Valley - South Australia

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 99 points

2022 Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia

Deep crimson. Intense cassis, mocha aromas with hint leafy herb garden notes. Inky deep and expressive wine with ample blackcurrant pastille, blackberry fruits, fine slinky firm cedar tannins, wonderful mid-palate density and well-integrated mocha/ dark chocolate notes. Finishes classically fine-grained, touch muscular, with aniseed notes. A top-notch Bin 707 with superb density, vigour and cellaring potential. Coonawarra, Barossa Valley, Padthaway, McLaren Vale. Drink 2028 – 2050 14.5% alc 97 points

2020 Penfolds Bin 95 Grange Shiraz, South Australia

Deep crimson. Fresh and complex with classical blackberry, dark chocolate, panforte aromas with hints of ginger and underlying mocha/ roasted chestnut/ hint bourbon notes. Generously concentrated and inky deep with ample blackberry dark chocolate/ praline flavours, fine chocolaty tannins and ample roasted chestnut, marzipan notes. Finishes chocolaty firm, crisp and minerally with a hint of aniseed. A classic Grange with the structure and balance to last for the long haul. McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley provenance. 97% Shiraz 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink 2028 – 2050 14.5% alc 98 points

2021 Penfolds Bin 180 Cabernet Shiraz , Coonawarra - South Australia

Deep crimson. Beautiful pure blackcurrant, dark plum, dark cherry capsicum aromas with praline/ mocha notes and hints of bush garrigue. Fresh, generous and concentrated dark berry, capsicum, praline, espresso, cedar flavours, fine slinky firm/ graphite tannins and well-integrated mineral acidity.  A grainy plume with seductive sweet fruit, hint flinty notes at the finish. Lovely richness and flow. Coonawarra, Penfolds Block 10 & Block 5. 57% cabernet sauvignon 43% shiraz. 180th Anniversary wine (1844-2024). Drink now – 2035 14.5% alc 96 points