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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Penfolds RWT Shiraz Bin 798text
97POINTS
19/20

Penfolds RWT Shiraz Bin 798 2018

Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaSince its inception, I have been a fan of RWT, now tagged with Bin Number 798. The French oaked version of Grange is simply a standout. In 2018 the oak was 64 percent new, and the rest is from one year old barrels. It is a giant of wine, but it always projects a sense of linear elegance and style that only French oak can achieve. The mix of fruit is so glossy, and so RWT, Gago says they pretty much knew in the vineyard which blocks were going to make it to the final blend. "A wonderful year in a phenological sense, for lush, pure fruited, lovely svelte sort of fruits… something quite magical." Blackberry jam, black plums, white pepper, fruit cake, tobacco, and dried herbs, it is all here and, as mentioned, with an elegance that belies Australia. It's completely on the opposite spectrum of the powerful, assertive nature of Grange. A blend of grower fruit and Penfolds' own vineyards but somewhat unusual in that it is all from Barossa Valley. Gago says the blend was self-evident at the classification tasting. The blend was right, 20 minutes after the classification started. A super red for collectors. A bargain in the face of Grange and a wine that Gago hints itmight be better than the amazing 1998. As for tagging RWT, already perfectly monikered with a Bin Number, open the number dial screen on your cell phone and, well, it's not the company's finest moment. Winelovers should be thankful winemaker Peter Gago wins more than he loses at that corporate table.Tasted: 29 September 2020Tasted by: Anthony GismondiPrices:
BC$249.99750mlBCLS
AB$249.95750mlselect private retailers
SK$249.95750mlSaskLiquor
ON$249.95750mlLCBO
QC$249.50750mlSAQ
NS$318.53750mlNSLC
NFL$249.99750mlNLLC
Producer: PenfoldsDistributors: Mark Anthony Wines and Spirits
Grape: Shiraz/SyrahCSPC: 148528UPC: 012354072602