After a dry winter, good rains in September arrived just in time to assist early growth, although this was less vigorous and therefore produced a smaller crop than normal. Conditions throughout summer were dry and warm before relieving rains and cooler conditions in autumn. Fruit was particularly intense with ripe, minty flavours and excellent varietal definition and structure. Maturation period of 13 months in new American oak. An opaque mauve, with a black centre and dark crimson rim. Varietal notes of blackcurrant and a hint of leaf are immediately apparent, with black olives and sweet dark fruits in the background. The wine shows cedary, spicy oak with thumbprint savoury smoky whiffs indicative of the ferment finishing in barrel. Structurally tight and taut, in keeping with the variety, the wine is mouth-filling and expansive, with bright, ripe dark berry fruits and tight-grained, elongated tannins. With great finesse and showing excellent persistence of flavour, the wine's impressive depth and structure give it immense presence in the glass and promises a great cellaring future. Alc/Vol: 13.5%. Notes sourced from Penfolds.
Penfolds' most eloquent expression of cabernet sauvignon. A multi-regional blend representing the pick of Penfolds' entire South Australian cabernet crop and matured in new American oak. 18.6 / 20 points Jeremy Oliver's Australian Wine Annual 2004
Penfolds does it again - but then they are good at producing gold medallists. It has classic Australian minty character with soft, ripe fleshy fruit and an immense classy finish. Tasted: May 2003 International Wine Challenge Gold 2003
