Penfolds : RWT Barossa Valley Shiraz 2024

Characteristics and tasting tips for Penfolds RWT Barossa Valley Shiraz 2024

Tasting

Colour
This wine displays a deep, dark red hue with a strikingly opaque core that gives way to vivid purple glints at the rim of the glass.

Nose
The bouquet is complex, blending scents of blackberry, lavender and violet with notes of exotic spices. Indulgent aromas of cocoa, dark chocolate and roasted coffee join in, along with hints of dried fruit. With a little aeration, fragrances of fine wood, walnut, olive and charcuterie add further depth.

Palate
The attack is fluid and juicy, with a velvety, beautifully harmonious texture. The palate unfolds intense flavours of red and black fruit such as blackcurrant, redcurrant and blackberry, lifted by nuances of fresh herbs, fig and fennel. The structure rests on even, well-integrated tannins, leading to a lingering finish with liqueur and coffee accents.

Food and wine pairings
This cuvée pairs beautifully with robust meats, such as a fine cut of grilled beef, a dry-aged rib steak or game like wild boar and venison. Slow-cooked dishes, such as braised beef cheek or confit leg of lamb, will also bring out its richness. For cheese, opt for aged hard varieties like a mature cheddar or pecorino. Finally, vegetarian dishes built around roasted mushrooms will echo its earthy aromas perfectly.

Serving and cellaring
This RWT Barossa Valley Shiraz 2024 can be enjoyed now for its generosity, but it also has a structure built to last. It can be cellared and kept until 2050.

A contemporary expression of a great Barossa Valley Shiraz by Penfolds

The estate
Founded in 1844 by Dr Christopher Rawson Penfold and his wife Mary, Penfolds first made its name with wines intended for medicinal purposes before becoming a true icon. Located in South Australia, near Adelaide, this historic house now belongs to the Treasury Wine Estates group, headed by Tim Ford. Under the guidance of renowned chief winemaker Peter Gago, the brand stands out for its innovative approach and its mastery of blending. Drawing on its heritage and oenological expertise, this Australian estate enjoys worldwide renown thanks to its prestige cuvées.

The vineyard
The grapes for this cuvée come exclusively from the famous Barossa Valley, north-east of Adelaide. This terroir enjoys a warm, Mediterranean-type climate, marked by dry summers and cool nights that preserve the balance of the berries. The soils are highly varied, alternating between dense clays and iron-rich red loams, which give the grapes power, minerality and structure.

The vintage
The year began in South Australia with a winter and spring marked by below-average rainfall, leading to early budburst. Spring also brought frost threats that affected yields. Later, flowering was hit by a spell of heat. February, which was particularly hot and dry, significantly accelerated the ripening of the berries, resulting in an early harvest that largely took place in mid-March.

Vinification and ageing
To craft this RWT Barossa Valley Shiraz 2024, the estate opts for ageing exclusively in French oak hogsheads. The wine rests there for 14 months, with a high proportion of new oak reaching 82%, while the remaining 18% is aged in barrels previously used for one vintage.

Grape variety
100% Shiraz