2025 Penley Estate Phoenix Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra

There is the feeling of peering into a deep well of black fruit with this wine. Stretch further and you'll fall headlong into blackberries bubbling on the stove, and tampered cookies of ground coffee and juniper spice. There are Nyon olives and some sage leaves, too. A perky wisp of acidity and some dry, grainy tannin that wraps the side of your palate. You’ll love it for its array of savoury notes and cooking herbs. An inky wine without any traces of jubey sweetness. Taut and terrific, and superb value. Drink to 2035.

93 points & Special Value Shanteh Wale for Halliday Wine Companion, October 2026 

Penley Estate is a Coonawarra estate established in 1988 by the three children of Reginald Tolley and Judith Penfold Hyland, Kym, Ang and Bec Tolley.

Sisters Ang and Bec are its current proprietors and appointed current winemaker Kate Goodman to lead the work at the winery after their brother Kym left in 2015. Kate has access to substantial vineyards stretching over 86 hectares and planted to Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc, Merlot and Shiraz, with all sites certified by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia.

Made from estate grown fruit, the parcels for this wine were matured for twelve months in French oak barrels of which only 5% were new before ahead of blending and a six- month rest in stainless steel pre-bottling.