FWT 543 Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah 2022
Penfolds
FWT 543 Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah 2022
Penfolds
FWT 543 Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah 2022
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Overview
Overview
FWT 543 brings together two varietals that marry as one and complement each other, inseparable as a blend. Structural Cabernet Sauvignon and highly textural Syrah combine to create a style that is familiar yet altogether different. A classic Australian blend reimagined in a French context, it celebrates tradition through an entirely modern approach.
This 2022 vintage celebrates the storied vineyards of France which famously gave Max Schubert his inspiration for Grange. A sensory delight, it brings fruit sweetness to intertwine with subtle oak and vibrant acidity.
| Varietal | Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Country | France |
| Region | Multi Region |
| Volume | 750 mL |
| Closure | Cork |
| Alc/Vol | 14% |
| Peak Drinking | Now - 2045 |
| Winemaker | The Penfolds Team |
Awards and Accolades
Awards and Accolades
| 97 Points | Huon Hooke |
| 96 Points | Jeni Port |
| 96 Points | Nick Ryan |
Huon Hooke
"Lovely ripe cabernet bouquet, cassis blackberry and cedar, and not so much of the tobacco/mulched leaf character. Full bodied, concentrated and rich, with a fuller mid-palate than the FWT 585. Impressive wine, and the syrah component is in the background. (Origin: Vin de France. 52% cabernet sauvignon, 48% syrah. Aged for 12 months in American (25% new, 75% 1 year old) and French (16% new, 84% 1 year old) oak barriques.) Drink 2028– 2050. 97 Points."
Jeni Port
"Complex and fragrant in ripe blackberry, red berries, liquorice, oolong smoky tea scents, rosemary, dried herbs, toasty cedar, woody spices. The Penfolds oak touch is evident, the mix of new French (40%) and American oak (60%) unmistakable really, lending an impressive sweet, shaved pencil/graphite backdrop to warm-hearted, generous flavours. It comes nicely poised, too, with sage herbals, bay leaf, cassis and spice lending a layer of aromatic brightness. Finishes with more than enough fine-grained and persistent tannins and earthy savouriness to make for one complex, beguiling, long-living wine. Drink: 2025-2040. 96 Points."
Nick Ryan
"Finely sculpted and chiselled, a really successful statement of what Penfolds can do as a French winemaker. Fine framed cabernet entwined with savoury, sinewy syrah. Dry red fruits, some faint leafiness, a minerally edge. 96 Points."
Taste Description
Taste Description
Nose
A swirl reveals a spice bazaar, brimming with the warm allure of baking spices, a touch of clove, and the sweet dusting of icing sugar. This aromatic profile is enlivened by the herbal clarity of rosemary, lending freshness. A smooth undercurrent of beeswax adds a rich textural dimension, rounding out the spice. Floral nuances subtly emerge, reminiscent of an olive tree in bloom, complemented by the sharp, refreshing tang of juniper berry. Savoury notes of Sicilian green olive tapenade bring complexity, followed by the meaty notesand dry-cured duck. The nose is completed with a touch of candied orange peel, adding a citrus twist.
Flavours and Palate
The experience of eating a macaron à la framboise, where the initial crunch gives way to a burst of flavour. Rich, ripe tastes of red cherry and strawberry, saturating the mouth with luscious sweetness. The presence of oak is discernible, presented in pâtisserie finesse – chouquettes sprinkled with sugar pearls and the buttery indulgence of freshly baked brioche. A balance is struck between the lively acidity, reminiscent of cherry pips, and the chewy, textural tannins that lend a robust framework. A classic Penfolds blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Enjoy now for its vivacity or cellar to witness a gradual evolution over two or more decades.
Viticulture Vintage & Winemaking
Viticulture Vintage & Winemaking
Vintage Conditions
The vineyards of France were blessed by ample winter rainfall leading into the spring growing season. Most growers also reported healthy falls in spring, alleviating vine stress during budburst and flowering. Above average spring temperatures mitigated frost risk in most appellations. Summer temperatures were well above average, with dry conditions prevailing through to Autumn. Although the heat increased vine stress, lessons learned from previous warm vintages brought success. Canopies remained green and healthy, while bunches ripened evenly. Cooler nights towards the end of veraison helped retain freshness, a hallmark of the vintage, while thick-skinned berries developed excellent colours and tannins. A darker fruit profile well suited to the Penfolds House Style.
The Penfolds Team
Key to the success of Penfolds has been a lineage of visionary winemakers. There have only ever been four Chief Winemakers at the helm of Penfolds – Max Schubert, Don Ditter, John Duval and Peter Gago, each a custodian of a rich winemaking tradition that goes back for more than 170 years.
Our current Penfolds winemaking team has more than 100 years between them as Penfolds winemakers. They are constantly refining and improving their work, whilst honouring the winemaking techniques of their predecessors.