Penfolds RWT Shiraz presents an admirable alternative to the multi-regional sourcing and American oak maturation that are hallmarks of Grange, expressing instead, single-region Barossa Valley Shiraz matured only in French oak. The initials RWT stand for ‘Red Winemaking Trial’, the name given to the project internally when developmental work began in 1995. Naturally, now no longer a ‘Trial’ RWT Shiraz was launched inMay 2000 with the 1997 vintage. Its style is opulent and fleshy, contrasting with Grange, which is more muscular and assertive. RWT is made from fruit primarily selected for its aromatic qualities and fine texture rather than sheer intensity or power of flavour. The result is a wine that helps to redefine Barossa Shiraz at the highest quality level.

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. Rating: 98 Points; Andrew Caillard MW

Very deep, saturated purple-red colour; brown/woody spices and earthy/stony aromas layered with black fruits and tar. Smoky oak very present but balanced. Very firm and full-bdied, a powerhouse of a wine, the tannins coating gthe mouth. A big, bold, brawny wine in typical style, with mouth-gripping tannins and formidable length. Cellaring recommended! Date: Jun 2023; Alcohol: 14.5%; Price: $200.00; Drink: 2025-2043; Rating: 97 Points; Huon Hooke; The Real Review

An excellent RWT release from Barossa Valley shiraz matured in French oak hogsheads (80/20% new/one-year-old) for 14 months. Purple splashed crimson in the glass, it smells Barossa through and through with super-ripe dark plum, mulberry and blue fruits cut through with hints of baking spices, berry cream, licorice, panforte, dark chocolate, cedar and struck flint. Concentrated and opulent with densely packed fine tannins, deep, resonant Barossa fruit and a powerful yet elegant, distinctly regional profile. Another for the cellar. Date: Jul 2023; Alcohol: 14.5%; Price: $200.00; Drink by: 2050; Rating: 96 Points; Dave Brookes; James Halliday Wine Companion

Straightforward and impressive at once. Plums and vanilla, cedarwood and tobacco, salted licorice, sweet raspberry. It both lays it on and keeps itself nice. Tannin isn’t over the top in volume terms but it maintains a swagger nonetheless. A little oak-driven perhaps but it freshens considerably as it breathes. Will be fantastic. Date: Jul 2022; Alcohol: 14.5%; Price: $200; Closure: Screwcap; Drink: 2026-2038+; Rated: 96 Points; Campbell Mattinson; The Wine Front