2018 Penfolds ‘RWT Bin 798’ Shiraz Barossa Valley

WA98 Sourced only from the Barossa Valley, RWT is aged exclusively in French oak, giving it two major points of difference from the rest of the Penfolds range. Always a sexy, voluptuous wine (and admittedly a personal favorite), the 2018 RWT Shiraz ratchets that up to new heights in a great Barossa vintage, boasting layers of berry-like fruit, refined vanilla shadings and baking-spice notes, plus more exotic elements like star anise and cocoa powder. It’s full-bodied and plush without being unstructured in any way, with a lingering, complex finish and the concentration to age two decades or more.

JS96 his has a very attractively fresh, showy feel to the nose with aromas of ripe red cherries, blackberries, goji berries and red currants, as well as red plums and some wild-herb and licorice notes on offer, too. Very expressive and fragrant. The palate has a super intense and powerful delivery of ripe red-cherry and plum flavors and immaculately fresh French oak (64% new) that really clasps and holds the finish long. The tannins are so ripe and well positioned. Drink over two decades.

DEC96 Plush and opulent, this bombshell in a striking oak corset makes an exuberant entry, striding down the red carpet with its ample fruit talking in a bright, effusive voice. After that brassy entry it settles in the glass, its blackberry and brulée flavours singing softly atop a bed of powdery tannins, and the nutty, cedar tones framing a long finish. Having changed so much since its inaugural 1997 vintage, RWT (‘Red Winemaking Trial’) has never presented its fruit so voluptuously and immediately, with oak now part of the supporting cast rather than playing the star role.