2021 Penfolds, Bin 798 RWT Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia

Winter rainfall was 20% below the long-term average, but a wetter-than-average August contributed to soil moisture for the commencement of the growing season. The temperatures from January to March were similar to the long-term average, and conditions were mild over harvest. Aged for 14 months in French oak hogsheads 80% new, 20% one year old). TA 6.5 g/l, pH 3.69.

Very dark. Some subtlety on the nose and palate with an almost Italian tanginess to it. Real energy here. We’re tasting fruit rather than winemaking! Real depth and raciness. Yes!

Drink 2024 - 2042

The richly endowed 2021 Shiraz Bin 798 RWT delivers in spades with intense and well-defined blackberry, tempered chocolate, black olive and bay leaf aromas. A dense, drying palate follows. Grippy tannins provide a muscular feel through to a heavy set finish. It’s a little adolescent right now and needs time to settle.

Drink 2028 - 2039

Barossa Valley grapes selected for their regional character, lifted aromas, fine tannins and plush texture comprise this cuvée, which began as a Red Winemaking Trial RWT) project in the early 1990s and first released in 2000 with the 1997 vintage. It’s always an impressively generous and bold-fruited style, showcasing the Barossa’s characteristic opulent black and purple berry fruit, dark espresso-like earthiness and chocolatey-smooth tannins, but in this stellar vintage, there pops of cured meat and black olive along with violet florals and sweet sesame paste. The 14 months in French oak hogsheads, 80% new, is supporting, not intrusive, and already pretty complete.

Drink 2025 - 2055

The 2021 RWT Bin 798 is layered with wheat-y/biscuity oak on the nose with blackberry compote, black earth, black olive tapenade ... black, black, black. Tannic and muscular in the mouth and so much of everything: fruit, oak and tannin. A dense wine of monstrous proportions, those who love this gritty, hedonistic style will be incandescent with pleasure. Positively glowing. This 2021 RWT is like the heart and soul of the RWT style. Barossa, Barossa, Barossa. Big! Matured for 14 months in French oak 80% new).

Drink 2023 - 2051

A powerful, extremely exciting wine, framed by an almost impenetrable cladding of oak. And yet the density of the fruit is undeniable, defined by a piercing core of blueberry and kirsch, doused with iodine, beef brisket, anise and a savory sassafras note. There is much, much more sitting in the cradle of youthful inscrutability.

Big and bolshy, forcing its way long by virtue of tenacity of extract and quality of tannins. The sort of tannins that roll through the mouth, eking a journey across every crevice. Really fine tannins. An accomplishment born of an exceptional vintage, quality material and wonderful management. This will age exceptionally well and strikes me as among the very top wines of this new swag of releases.