RWT Bin 798 Barossa Valley Shiraz 2023 (Cork)
Penfolds
RWT Bin 798 Barossa Valley Shiraz 2023 (Cork)
Overview
Overview
RWT stands for ‘Red Winemaking Trial’, the name given to the project when developmental work began in the early 1990s. First released in 2000 with the 1997 vintage, RWT offers a modern expression of Barossa Valley Shiraz, crafted from grapes selected for their aromatic complexity, varietal typicity, and plush texture. Maturation in French oak lends further elegance, defining a finely-tuned style, delightfully approachable in youth with the Penfolds hallmark of age-worthy structure.
The 2023 vintage is contemporary and opulent, showcasing plush black fruits, seamless French oak, velvety texture and an elegant line of acidity – it redefines Barossa Valley Shiraz at the highest level.
When purchased in a case (6 bottles), this wine comes in a Penfolds branded wooden box.
*Please note there is a 1 case limit per order for this product.
| Varietal | Shiraz |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Country | Australia |
| Region | Barossa Valley |
| Volume | 750 mL |
| Closure | Cork |
| Alc/Vol | 14.5% |
| Peak Drinking | Now - 2048 |
| Winemaker | The Penfolds Team |
Awards and Accolades
Awards and Accolades
| 97 Points | Ken Gargett |
| 97 Points | Huon Hooke |
| 97 Points | Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion |
| 96+ Points | Andrew Caillard MW |
| 96 Points | Ray Jordan |
| 96 Points | Nick Ryan |
| 96 Points | Jeni Port |
| 96 Points | Tyson Stelzer |
| 95 Points | Campbell Mattinson |
| 95 Points | Erin Larkin |
| 95 Points | Lisa Cardelli |
| 18.5/20 Points | Matthew Jukes |
Ken Gargett
"Penfolds’ non-Grange Barossa Shiraz. A very dark purple magenta, plenty of oak here, but early days and all is proceeding according to plan. Along with those vanillin notes on the nose, we have a touch of toast, dark chocolate, espresso, mocha, aniseed, bay leaves, a burst of ripe raspberries, blackberries and root vegetables. Anyone leaving this wine in the cellar for the next five to six years before opening will reap the rewards. The wine is seamless, of medium weight and good length, with fine tannins and a finish which lingers beautifully, with roasted coffee notes. This is a very fine RWT. A twenty to twenty-five year proposition. 97 Points."
Dave Brookes
"This is a great release for the RWT Bin 798, Penfolds' finely tuned, contemporary rendition of Barossa Valley shiraz. Magenta-splashed crimson with fruit tones of satsuma plum, black cherry, blueberry and boysenberry along with hints of baking spices, chocolate cake, olive tapenade, dark chocolate, sandalwood, graphite, crushed rock, wood spice and cedar. The earthy and creamy flavours are beautifully balanced on the palate. The flow of fruit is long and true, with fine, powdery tannins poised perfectly as the wine trails off. This is a gorgeous drink now but will cellar beautifully over the next several decades. 14.5% alc. 97 Points."
Tyson Stelzer
"A strong vintage for RWT transcends an erratic and challenging growing season, blessed by a late harvest accompanied by cool nights. An enticing core of classic Barossa blackberries, blueberries and satsuma plums is backed by the dark chocolate of high-class French oak, setting a firm, fine, perfectly slow-ripened tannin profile, beautifully lifted by cool season acidity. It carries magnificent flow and persistence, making for a long-enduring RWT. Drink: 2043-2058. 96 Points."
Taste Description
Taste Description
Nose
Blueberry, mulberry, and boysenberry come to the forefront, accented by a hint of dark cherry. A subtle floral note of violets is present, alongside the scent of blackberry confectionery and the aroma of summer berry pudding. Fragrant notes of cedar and sandalwood emerge, accompanied by a mix of warm spices, including cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of cardamom and pimento. Wafts of vanilla bean and freshly-dusted donuts emerge. The sweet aromas are balanced by woody, graphite notes. A hint of cordite smoke adds a final flourish.
Flavours and Palate
The balance between fruit and oak is seamless. There is notable tension, supported by a fine line of acidity that carries the rich, saturated flavours of black fruits and Satsuma plums. The tannins are present but nuanced, providing a fine, smooth texture to the wine. It glides across the palate with precision. Generous flavours of cherry-infused chocolate and hazelnut praline accompanied by hints of cola and sarsaparilla. A touch of cracked black pepper and nutmeg adds subtle complexity, enhancing the overall sense of balance.
Viticulture Vintage & Winemaking
Viticulture Vintage & Winemaking
Barossa Valley, South Australia
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.
Vintage Conditions
The Barossa Valley’s 2023 vintage was marked by resilience in the face of varied climate challenges. The season began with near-average winter rainfall. While September was warmer, spring temperatures remained below average. A significant cold front at the end of October brought torrential rains and flash floods, disrupting the vineyards. Thunderstorms in November delayed flowering by three weeks and heightened the risk of disease. Cooler-than-average temperatures persisted through most of the year until a warmer, drier spell in December and January. The Shiraz vines began flowering in early December in optimal conditions. A return to mild-to-warm conditions in summer ensured the vines were able to complete the growing season in good order. Beneficial temperature swings between day and night aided sugar development and phenolic maturation in the grapes without compromising vine health. Shiraz vines began veraison on February 8th, approximately three weeks later than usual. The warmer sites in the Barossa Valley excelled, with healthy open canopies producing high quality grapes with small berries. The approach to harvest was met with warm days and cool nights. Despite the climatic adversities experienced in spring, the vintage concluded with yields and quality that surpassed early season expectations.
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.