#41 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2020

Deep dark cherry-red. On the nose, initially there are plummy fruits meshed with sweet spices (predominantly cinnamon), and almond. And then a pause to imbibe the aromatic atmospherics of a patisserie: crème anglaise, cannoli with vanilla custard and classic bourbon vanilla at that. A croquembouche’s (profiterole) hazelnut brittle. Grated chocolate – both white and dark. Fresh, awakening. A medium-bodied palate. Raspberry/chocolate flavors with a sprinkling of spice and cola. The tannins are integrated and embedded – supportive, not standing apart. As for the oak, no obtrusive flavors to speak of, yet all the benefits of a calm maturation is seasoned hogsheads. The acidity is in tune with the wine’s weight and structure. Rest in bottle for a year or two. Needs time.

James Suckling 95 Points

Robert Parker 93 Points

Wine Spectator 93 Points

About Penfolds Winery

After the success of early sherries and fortified wines, founders Dr Christopher and Mary Penfold planted their vine cuttings they had carried on their voyage over to Australia. In 1844 the fledging vineyard was officially established as the Penfolds wine company at Magill Estate.

As the company grew, so too did Dr Penfold’s medical reputation, leaving much of the running of the winery to Mary Penfold. Early forays into Clarets and Rieslings proved increasingly popular, and on Christopher’s death in 1870, Mary assumed total responsibility for the winery. Mary’s reign at the helm of Penfolds saw years of determination and endeavour.

By the time Mary Penfold retired in 1884 (ceding management to her daughter, Georgina) Penfolds was producing 1/3 of all South Australia’s wine. She’d set an agenda that continues today, experimenting with new methods in wine production. By Mary’s death in 1896, the Penfolds legacy was well on its way to fruition. By 1907, Penfolds had become South Australia’s largest winery.

In 1948, history was made again as Max Schubert became the company’s first Chief Winemaker. A loyal company man and true innovator, Schubert would propel Penfolds onto the global stage with his experimentation of long-lasting wines – the creation of Penfolds Grange in the 1950s.

In 1959 (while Schubert was perfecting his Grange experiment in secret), the tradition of ‘bin wines’ began. The first, a Shiraz wine with the grapes of the company’s own Barossa Valley vineyards was simply named after the storage area of the cellars where it is aged. And so Kalimna Bin 28 becomes the first official Penfolds Bin number wine.

Despite great success, Penfolds never rests on its laurels. In 2012 Penfolds released its most innovative project to date – 12 handcrafted ampoules of the rare 2004 Kalimna Block Cabernet Sauvignon.

Two years later, Penfolds celebrated the 170th anniversary – having just picked up a perfect score of 100 for the 2008 Grange in two of the world’s most influential wine magazines.