Reviews & Ratings
2021 Penfolds Syrah & Shiraz (Other than French) "RWT Bin 798"
Winery: Penfolds
Vintage: 2021
Wine Name/Vineyard: "RWT Bin 798"
Wine Category: Syrah & Shiraz (Other than French)
Grape blend: 100% Shiraz
Bottle size: 750 ml
Region: Barossa Valley
State or country: Australia
Price: $150
Cases produced: 180
KWG Score: 93.8 (based on 4 reviews)
Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (93.5)
Review date: December 24, 2023
Wine Review: This cloudy and midnight purple colored Shiraz from the Barossa Valley opens with a blackberry and mulberry bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied with integrated medium acidity. The mouthfeel is balanced, round, fresh, and youthful. The flavor profile is a blueberry and chalky minerality blend with notes of oak and chocolate. I also detected hints of black tea and blackberry. The finish is dry and its tannins build-up and are very extended. I would decant this Shiraz for a while if you plan to open it anytime soon. Then I would pair it with a New York strip steak. Enjoy – Ken
Winemaker Notes: The initials "RWT" stand for "Red Winemaking Trial", the name given to the project internally when developmental work began in the early 1990s. Naturally, now no longer a "trial", RWT Shiraz was launched in May 2000 with the 1997 vintage. RWT is made from Barossa Valley Shiraz grapes primarily selected for their aromatic qualities, varietal typicity, fine tannins and plush texture. Maturation in French oak provides another contrast to Grange. The result is a wine that redefines Barossa Valley Shiraz at the highest quality level.
Colour: Shiny, lustrous purple.
Nose: Lifted aromatics. Blue fruits are to the fore, fresh blueberry and mulberry with notes reminiscent of summer berry pudding served with fresh pouring cream. There also some floral notes of violet and lavender. The French oak is fully absorbed, balancing the fruit with subtle spice notes. Detected, cola, salty licorice, and a hint of green olive brine. Finally, there are hints of Belgium chocolate aromas along with just tanned leather.
Palate: Powerful, opulent fruit. This wine has a substantial, dare we say imperious palate. The tannins polished, fine and mouth filling. Delicious, even at this relatively embryonic stage of its evolution. Flavors of crème brûlée, praline, hazelnut, bitter chinotto and fresh coffee grounds entice. From the chocolate, offers of coffee sweets and malted milk chocolates. Dark, brooding fruits add substantial weight to the palate, black currant, ripe plums and mulberries.
Peak Drinking: 2025 – 2055
Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Penfolds 2021 RWT Bin 798 Shiraz.
