2021 Penfolds Bin 798 RWT Shiraz, Barossa Valley

Very deep, saturated purple-red colour; brown/woody spices and earthy/stony aromas layered with black fruits and tar. Smoky oak very present but balanced. Very firm and full-bdied, a powerhouse of a wine, the tannins coating gthe mouth. A big, bold, brawny wine in typical style, with mouth-gripping tannins and formidable length. Cellaring recommended!

97 points Huon Hooke The Real Review

Deep crimson. Lovely blackberry, dark chocolate, praline aromas with mocha, marzipan, vanilla notes. Beautifully concentrated wine with ample blackberry, dark chocolate, roasted chestnut, marzipan flavours, dense chocolaty tannins, superb mid palate volume and fresh long integrated acidity. Finishes chocolaty with plentiful seductive sweet dark berry fruits and bitte sweet notes. Lovely richness, volume and vinosity. Should develop into a classic Penfolds Barossa Shiraz.

98 points Andrew Caillard MW

RWT, or Red Winemaking Trial, was originally an experiment to craft a Barossa Shiraz matured entirely in French oak, and it has since become one of Penfolds’ most distinctive expressions. Where Grange leans broader and more overtly powerful, RWT often shows a more plush, fruit driven profile with a polished, modern edge. The 2021 vintage, coming from an excellent Barossa season, brings both depth and clarity.

Aromatics are generous and inviting, ripe blackberry, dark plum and blueberry layered with violet and a touch of dark chocolate. There is a warm spice thread running through it, clove, cinnamon and a hint of mocha, with the French oak adding a refined, cedary note rather than overt sweetness.

On the palate it is full bodied and velvety, with dense, ripe tannins that feel smooth rather than heavy. The fruit is rich and enveloping, but balanced by a line of freshness that keeps it from becoming overblown. Flavours move from dark berries into spice, cocoa and a lightly savoury edge, finishing long and plush with impressive persistence.

Penfolds’ winemaking precision is evident throughout, careful fruit selection, controlled fermentation and élevage in French oak shaping a wine that is both powerful and seamless.

This is a natural match for bold, flavour driven dishes. Grilled ribeye, slow cooked beef or lamb all work beautifully, and it also pairs well with richer vegetarian options like roasted mushrooms, eggplant or lentil based dishes with spice.

It shows beautifully now with some air, but will reward cellaring over the next ten to fifteen years, developing deeper notes of chocolate, spice and savoury complexity as it evolves.