Top Australian Shiraz
2021 Penfolds, Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia 6x75cl
"Blackish purple. Rich, satisfying nose. Sweet and soft. Very definitely a South Australian Cabernet, a hemisphere away from Bordeaux, but it works. Complete and flattering without too much dryness... on the end. Although the official notes suggest that the drinking window for this wine starts in 2026, I think it’s readier to enjoy than many thanks to the ripeness of the tannins. But I’m sure it will go on and on.”
£1,660 / Case£276.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2019 Penfolds, Grange, South Australia 6x75cl
"“The bold, expansive 2019 Grange (97% Shiraz, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon) spent 19 months in larger new American Oak and is powerful and expressive as it delivers a dense core of coca, blackberry and... baked terracotta aromas, all well backed by toasted coconut oak. Mouth-filing, expansive and seriously tannic, it then delivers waves of dark berry flavor laced with touches of spice, leading to a rich, muscular finish. It's built for the long haul, so don't even think of opening for at least a decade.” 96 pts., Angus Hughson, vinous.com
£2,225 / Case£370.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2021 Penfolds, Bin 798 RWT Shiraz, Barossa Valley 6x75cl
“The 2021 RWT Bin 798 is layered with wheat-y/biscuity oak on the nose with blackberry compote, black earth, black olive tapenade ... black, black, black. Tannic and muscular in the mouth and so... much of everything: fruit, oak and tannin. A dense wine of monstrous proportions, those who love this gritty, hedonistic style will be incandescent with pleasure. Positively glowing. This 2021 RWT is like the heart and soul of the RWT style. Barossa, Barossa, Barossa. Big! Matured for 14 months in French oak (80% new).” 95 pts., Erin Larkin, robertparker.com
£483 / Case£80.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2020 Penfolds, Magill Estate Shiraz 6x75cl
"Dark ruby with purple reflections and ochre brightening on the rim. Complex aromas with ripe strawberries, hints of eucalyptus, nougat and well integrated wood. Full bodied with red berry flavours... and fresh, silky tannins. A long, red cherry finish, supported by subtle wood notes. A complex food companion. Drink 2025-2045"
96 pts, Peter Moser, Falstaff
£466 / Case£77.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2020 Penfolds, St. Henri Shiraz, South Australia 6x75cl
"“The 2020 Shiraz St Henri lives up to its traditional claret billing, reserved, subtle and built to last. Excellent color to begin before delivering a refined mix of coca, blackberry and black... olive tapenode with a subtle dusting of old spice. It's mid-weight, firm and stylish, with more gravel and graphite flavors starting to emerge. The vintages' firm tannins are well-matched and draw out a lengthy finish. You can bank off this drinking well for a couple of decades.” 94 pts., Angus Hughson, vinous.com
£321 / Case£53.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2020 Penfolds, Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, South Australia 6x75cl
"Looking in on the 389 can be "'can be," she says, parenthetically) a good insight into what we can expect from the upcoming Grange. Now, they are very different wines, no question, however,... stylistically they have much in common and the illumination into the season that birthed the wines in each instance. Here, the 2020 Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz has consummate polish and sleek tannins, imbued as they are with graphite, black tea, licorice and resin. The fruit is pure and black and chewy... gorgeous wine. And it lives for decades. This has always been a collector's dream and continues so through this vintage. Highly recommended." 96 pts., Erin Larkin, robertparker.com
£202 / Case£33.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2017 Henschke, Mount Edelstone Shiraz, Eden Valley 6x75cl
"Hung deli meat, star anise and blackberry adorn the nose of the 2017 Mount Edelstone Vineyard Shiraz. Discerning this is akin to peering over the counter at an Italian deli, with meat, cheeses and... garlic hanging from the ceiling: it's enveloping and welcome. On the palate, the wine is bright and concentrated, with layers of salted blueberry, licorice and staunch (yet fine) tannins. It has flexibility and pliability, but it also has shape and form—all of it encased in a medium-bodied shell. It is savory and lean above all else, with bacon fat adorning all edges." 95+ pts., Erin Larkin, robertparker.com
£675 / Case£112.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate