Penfolds

Close your eyes, take a sniff and visions of wildflowers, wild thyme, earth and bush come into view. It’s a powerfully evocative mental picture courtesy of this engaging Californian Cabernet Shiraz. Sweet fruited, generous, textural and immediately approachable in scents of crushed herbs, thyme, caraway, wildflowers, earth, black cherry, black berries and vanilla. A solid base of American oak (45% new) lays the foundation for what follows, the back palate positively shining in roasted spices – allspice, cinnamon, dark woody spice notes – meshed in dark fruits, crushed herbs and framed in fine, powdery tannins. Bay leaf? Well, it is intimated, adding a discreet regional signature to this sunny red which speaks perfect Californian.

Deep ruby colour, purple reflections, subtle ochre rim. Delicate notes of cassis and black cherry, subtle herbal savouriness, candied orange zest, mineral touch, some vanilla. Medium complexity, subtle fruit sweetness, round tannins, good freshness, harmonious, already developed, a versatile and accessible food companion.