Magill Estate Shiraz 2023
Penfolds
Magill Estate Shiraz 2023
Overview
Overview
This single-vineyard Magill Estate Shiraz is intrinsically tied to the origin of Penfolds, crafted on the same land where the story began in 1844. Just eight kilometres from Adelaide’s city centre, this wine is grown, vinified, and matured at the original working winery. It is nurtured in the same fermenters Max Schubert once used to craft Grange. First produced in 1983, it reflects a timeless connection between place and process.
The 2023 vintage is sleek and contemporary, with fine tannins and savoury depths backed by warm spices – marked by an unmistakable sense of place.
When purchased in a case (6 bottles), this wine comes in a Penfolds branded wooden box.
| Varietal | Shiraz |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Country | Australia |
| Region | Magill Estate |
| Volume | 750 mL |
| Closure | Cork |
| Alc/Vol | 14.5% |
| Peak Drinking | Now - 2045 |
| Winemaker | The Penfolds Team |
Awards and Accolades
Awards and Accolades
| 98 Points | Ken Gargett |
| 97 Points | Lisa Cardelli |
| 97 Points | Ray Jordan |
| 96 Points | Tyson Stelzer |
| 96 Points | Erin Larkin |
| 96 Points | Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion |
| 96 Points | Huon Hooke |
| 95 Points | Nick Ryan |
| 95 Points | Jeni Port |
Ken Gargett
"A stunning Magill, Penfolds’ single vineyard release. Very close to the best wine of the day, aside from the Grange. Great buying. The nose offers notes of licorice, graphite, blackfruits, cloves, soy, dark chocolate, cassis and coffee beans. Seamlessly structured with an alluring texture, this is exceptionally long. It has concentration and power, yet more refinement than one expects from 2023. Despite the length, the intensity and balance never waver for a moment. This will sing for at least the next two decades. A great Magill Estate Shiraz. 98 Points"
Lisa Cardelli
"A robust, nose-catching style with cowboy leather, musk, incense, blue violets, red liquorice, juniper berries, mulberries, and chocolate-covered cherries. It’s a luring wine; the palate combines fruit, tannins, and acidity in a seamless wave of desire, leaving you wanting more. As it continues to dance around the palate and evolves in the glass over time, it still requires plenty of measures to fully resolve the entire amount of fruit that is still tightly packed. 97 Points."
Tyson Stelzer
"By contrast with the challenges of some other parts of the state, a cool, long-ripening season has blessed a particularly graceful Magill estate with the harmony and completeness that characterise its finest vintages. There is a purity to its berry fruits core, its lifted spice and its dark and milk chocolate complexity. Structurally, there is a wonderful accord between confident, fine-grained tannins and cool season acidity, setting an impressively honed palate of polish and endurance. I admire the clarity of this cool season in highlighting the detail that identifies the singularity of uniqueness that is Magill estate, in a place and time all of its own. Drink: 2043-2058. 96 Points."
Taste Description
Taste Description
Nose
A blend of savoury and sweet aromas, starting with the rich, umami scent of seared pepper-crusted beef and flowing into the sweeter notes of liquorice and poached Satsuma plum. Depth is provided by savoury wafts of terrine, and a botanical hint of juniper complemented by the earthiness of the shitake mushroom. Darker notes of chocolate meld with bright cherry, while a floral tone of roses add a delicate fragrance. The scent of wet bracken ferns is present. Herbal notes of rosemary and sage are interlaced with a mix of baking spices, creating a complex and inviting aromatic profile.
Flavours and Palate
A predominantly savoury character is presented. There is an intriguing presence of poached autumnal quince, alongside mineral flavours reminiscent of wet steel and cool river stones. Paprika and sumac spices add warmth and depth, while the umami-rich flavour of Chinese black beans contributes to the savoury complexity. The al dente tannins are powdery yet ripe, with a dusty grip deeply integrated into the palate structure. Flavours of black pepper and the meaty richness of beef fillet abound. These complex threads are tempered by a fine line of acidity that weaves through the palate, ensuring the buoyant Shiraz fruit stays well in check. Neat as a pin.
Viticulture Vintage & Winemaking
Viticulture Vintage & Winemaking
Vintage Conditions
Winter rainfall was significantly above the long-term average, setting up the vines with full soil moisture profiles. The same weather patterns produced cooler-than-average temperatures throughout spring, which delayed budburst and flowering. Early predictions pointed to a late season. Summer was drier and warmer, closer to the long-term average. The vines enjoyed a nice, even veraison, characterised by small bunches and berries. Cool conditions prevailed during the harvest, with the best of Block 1 and Block C picked in mid-March, while the remainder of the grapes were picked in small parcels in late-March. The extended hang time allowed for concentrated flavour development and ripe tannins. Quality was exceptional, with the younger plantings on Blocks B and C delivering outstanding fruit
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.