| Producer | Penfolds |
| Country | Australia |
| Region | South Australia |
| Subregion | blended from Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, McLaren Val |
| Varietal | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Sku | U1011212 |
| Size | 750ml |
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After the aromatic impression, one might expect a forbidding palate. Not so. It's remarkably approachable, yet clearly built for a long spell in the dungeon. The cool dark fruits are very concentrated and varietal. The leafy notes on the nose morph into char-grilled savory flavors of grilled capsicum and cumin spiced eggplant, infused by sandalwood and cherry wood smoke. The tannins are graphite-like, fine but reassuringly persistent, with a faint suggestion of bitter dark chocolate. At the time of tasting the wine is very energetic, dancing the tango at full tempo. Don't expect a slow waltz anytime soon. One for the long haul.
A supremely cool and classy wine this vintage whose perfume seduces from the off. Gorgeous, layered aromas and rich flavours of blackforest gateau, rosemary, pencil lead, boysenberries, violets and exotic tobacco. Lovely cleansing acidity prevents any heaviness, and the oak sits in the background, adding a quiet cedar tone and a superfine tannin structure. Hard to resist now, but it will mature beautifully. The best-value wine of the range – a no-brainer at this price.
As I smelled this, I thought, "Gee, this smells good!" Usually, I find the presence of American oak to be distracting and ill-matched to the leafy, detailed Cabernet fruit. Here, there has been a significant proportion of French oak (25% new) and a lesser proportion of American oak (12% new oak). You get dark chocolate, berry compote, resin, stewed rhubarb, cassis, crème de menthe, soft-eating licorice and black olive tapenade. All regions have a warm climate, with the exception of Adelaide Hills, of course. In this cooler year, the fruit is mouth-filling without being heavy. Saturating. Lovely. Creamy. Big! Excellent.
Very Australian, bearing riffs on tea tree, black olive, sage and eucalyptus. All Aussie bramble, with tempering elements of clove and a gush of blackcurrant at its core. The tannins, spearmint and compressed. A bit drying, despite the wine's fuller weight. And yet for those seeking liquid Australiana, this is worth its weight in gold. After all, it could come from nowhere else.
There's a polished gloss of chocolaty oak on this multi-regional Cab, alongside plush blackberry and currant fruit, ground black pepper and a hint of anise that, all up, evokes a wintertime dessert. The palate is concentrated and muscly, with luscious fruit and powerful tannins. Still in its infancy, with a good lick of oak at the fore, this has a long cellaring life ahead. Drink 2026–2041.
