Penfolds

Dark ruby-garnet colour, purple reflections, delicate ochre rim. Red berry nuances, some raspberry pulp, floral accents, red cherries, the nose in no way betrays the provenance. Elegant, balanced, silky tannins, fine fruit and extract sweetness, lively and inviting, already a very harmonious affair, can be consumed straight away. Great value for money.

Lives large and ripe, the result of what was to all reports some intense Napa Valley heat during harvest. With such ripeness in hand, the level of French oak (16 months, maturation 45% new) is more than up to the challenge. It’s very much early days, but already there is a sense of power. Offers pure notes of rich blackberries, cassis, dusty beets, warm earth, leaf, briar and smart vanillin oak. Concentrated, deeply so, against a backdrop of compact tannins and creamy French oak (45% new), it remains focussed in Cabernet flavour and finishing with pure Napa Valley confidence and drive.