VINEYARD REGION Barossa Valley, Coonawarra and Magill
VINTAGE CONDITIONS 2006 was a relatively early vintage, with low rainfall and warm weather contributing to an early
budburst and flowering. Mild to warm weather throughout summer helped the fruit to mature well and assisting rains prior to harvest allowed fruit to ripen with good varietal character.
GRAPE VARIETY Shiraz (98%) Cabernet (2%)
MATURATION Matured for 18 months in 100% new American
oak hogsheads.
WINE ANALYSIS Alc/Vol: 14.5%
Acidity: 6.8g/L
pH: 3.49
LAST TASTED January 2011.
PEAK DRINKING 2012 to 2046
FOOD MATCHES Mayura Wagyu, sweetcorn, house-sprouted legumes & crisp sprout leaves.
Winemaker comments by
Peter Gago, Penfolds Chief Winemaker
COLOUR Deep blood-red, dense core.
NOSE Very Penfolds, very Barossa, very Grange! Scents, now five years in the making, weave their charm - this aromatic quilt's first-noted brightest colours are panaforte fig and quince paste alongside cured/smoked meats. Its fabric is meshed with spice - cinnamon, vanillin pod,
nutmeg and black pepper - tempered by teppanyaki sauces, amaretto/almond. A dark thread connects - black liquorice, olive and fresh
Arabica coffee-bean and soy. Background nutty oak (Brazil nut) beneath, yet barely noticed.
PALATE Freshness and balance are welcomed, yet confuse... a few sips remind of the oft-used reference 'iron fist in a velvet glove'. All is not as it seems! Firm throughout and across palate – reverent tannins and oak convey & propel flavours of slow-roasted lamb (avec jus), dark chocolate, cola, maraschino, with a menthol/rosemary lift to finish. Alluringly, a plush satin/cashmere mouthfeel compounds the initial confusion - accessible, yet poised to evolve and complex over many decades.
