Penfolds RWT Barossa Valley 2006 Shiraz

Penfolds RWT Shiraz presents an admirable alternative to the multi-regional sourcing and American oak maturation that are hallmarks of Grange, expressing instead, single-region Barossa Valley Shiraz matured only in French oak. The initials RWT stand for 'Red Winemaking Trial', the name given to the project internally when developmental work began in 1995. Naturally, now no longer a 'Trial' !

RWT Shiraz was launched in May 2000 with the 1997 vintage.  Its style is opulent and fleshy, contrasting with Grange, which is more muscular and assertive. RWT is made from fruit primarily selected for its aromatic qualities and fine texture rather than sheer intensity or power of flavour. The result is a wine that helps to redefine Barossa Shiraz at the highest quality level.

VINEYARD REGION: 100% Barossa Valley
VINTAGE CONDITIONS: The 2006 vintage in the Barossa saw a good spring budburst and fruit set, followed by
favourable growing conditions that allowed steady, continuous ripening. Warm, dry conditions prevailed during the harvest period.  The grapes were picked at optimum ripeness having excellent fresh varietal flavour, tannin structure and colour.
GRAPE VARIETY: Shiraz
MATURATION: This wine was matured for 14 months in 70% new and 30% one-year-old French oak hogsheads.
WINE ANALYSIS: Alc/Vol: 14.50% Acidity: 6.80g/L pH: 3.54
PEAK DRINKING: 2012 to2030.
FOOD MATCHES Rabbit, pork and duck terrine.

TASTING NOTES
COLOUR: Deep, dark magenta.
NOSE: Dark spices and saturated fresh regional Shirazfruits - tell-tale wafts of blueberry, blackberry,liquorice and black olive. Secondary notes of rosemary, peppercorn, thyme, juices of beef - verging on that of a terrine / corned beef. Subtle
cedary French oak in the background is in equilibrium with other incense-like and beguiling artefacts.
PALATE: Lush & expansive, yet with a defined, sleek demeanour. Plush velvety tannins - rounded /polished / dense. Tarry / liquorice blackness -espresso, coffee ground, dark chocolate with high notes of sarsaparilla, aniseed & green olive.

Volume = 750ml