The Red Wine Trial that redefined Barossa shiraz at the highest level. Stylistically, RWT is contemporary, opulent and finely tuned. An interesting contrast to the well-established Grange, which is a more concentrated, muscular and assertive style. RWT is made from Barossa Valley shiraz grapes primarily selected for their aromatic qualities, varietal typicity, fine tannins and plush texture. Maturation in French oak provides another contrast to Grange.
This release shows precision, concentration and balance to age for many years. Blue and red fruits, floral notes and a hint of savoury green olive add to a powerful and opulent palate.
Varietal | Shiraz |
---|---|
Vintage | 2021 |
Country | Australia |
Region | Barossa Valley |
Volume | 750 mL |
Closure | Screw Cap |
Alc/Vol | 14.5% |
Peak Drinking | 2025 – 2055 |
98+ Points | Andrew Caillard MW |
98 Points | Ken Gargett |
19/20 Points | Matthew Jukes |
97 Points | Huon Hooke |
97 Points | Ned Goodwin |
97 Points | Ray Jordan |
97 Points | Paul Edwards |
96+ Points | Colin Hay |
96 Points | Dave Brookes |
95 Points | Tyson Stelzer |
95 Points | Jeni Port |
95 Points | Erin Larkin |
95 Points | Jamie Goode |
17.5/20 Points | Jancis Robinson |
"Deep crimson. Lovely blackberry, dark chocolate, praline aromas with mocha, marzipan, vanilla notes. Beautifully concentrated wine with ample blackberry, dark chocolate, roasted chestnut, marzipan flavours, dense chocolaty tannins, superb mid palate volume and fresh long integrated acidity. Finishes chocolaty with plentiful seductive sweet dark berry fruits and bitte sweet notes. Lovely richness, volume and vinosity. Should develop into a classic Penfoldsian Barossa Shiraz. Drink 2026 – 2045. 98 points."
"Sourced from the Barossa, this wine matures in French hogsheads for 14 months, 80% of them new and 20% one-year-old. A cracking red. Dark, almost opaque maroon in colour, there is finesse here. Red fruits, notably raspberries, with florals, cold tea, milk chocolate, hints of cloves and red cherry notes all combine to provide wonderful aromatics. Saturated flavours here, and the wine has elegance. The texture is seductive and layered, ensuring a more refined, more graceful, wine. Bright acidity runs the length, which is seriously impressive. Everything in total harmony. A superb RWT. 14.5% alc – 98 points"
"In 2021 RWT has some spice to break up the familiar avalanche of black fruit, giving it some levity and even a little bounce on the palate. Delicious, lip-smacking, and surprisingly convivial, this Titan has been tamed, and the result is a genuinely enjoyable and somewhat forward wine (within an RWT frame of reference) with uncommon freshness and lift. These traits will serve it well. Drink 2025 - 2045. 14.5% alc – 19 points"
Herald the Barossa Valley! Lifted aromatics speak to the very heart of this celebrated region. Blue fruits are to the fore, fresh blueberry and mulberry with notes reminiscent of summer berry pudding served with fresh pouring cream. A pastry aroma conjures thoughts of blueberry torte. There are red fruits vying for attention, raspberry coulis, rhubarb crumble, red currant danish with icing sugar dusting. Detected, cola, salty licorice and a hint of savoury green olive brine. Candied orange and Panettoni vie with bitter Belgium chocolate aromas.
Powerful, opulent fruit. This wine has a substantial, dare we say imperious palate. The tannins polished, fine and mouth filling. Flavours of crème brûlée, praline, hazelnut, bitter chinotto and fresh coffee grounds entice. From the chocolaterie, offers of coffee sweets and malted milk chocolates. Dark, brooding fruits add substantial weight to the palate, black currant, ripe plums and mulberries. An epic RWT, multi-layered, Barossa terroir expressed through a Penfolds/French oak lens.
Just one hour’s drive from South Australia’s capital, Adelaide, lies its gourmet capital (and wine Mecca), Barossa. One of the country’s most beautiful and historic wine regions, Barossa is a magnet for lovers of fine food and wine. Its classic Mediterranean climate, and free-draining red brown soils, makes the region ideal for growing grapes. Barossa produces excellent Shiraz, Cabernet, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Riesling and Semillon.
Winter rainfall was 20% below the long-term average due to low rainfall experienced in the month of July. However, a wetter than average August contributed to healthy soil moisture profiles for the commencement of the growing season. Spring temperatures were slightly warmer than average with excellent climatic conditions for budburst and flowering. Apart from a few wet days in early February, the predicted La Niña failed to impact the Barossa Valley in any significant way. The temperatures from January to March were akin to the long-term average, with February slightly cooler. The mild conditions made for an orderly harvest, with shiraz grapes exhibiting strong varietal typicity. An excellent vintage for the Barossa Valley.
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.