Penfolds RWT Barossa Valley Shiraz 2001 (review)

85 points.

Baross Valley, South Australia. 14%

RWT stands for "red wine trial".

A story about Penfold's Grange is that Max Schubert toured Bordeaux observing various techniques including small barrel maturation. On arrival back in Australia he decided on a Shiraz based wine, there being little (quality) cabernet around. And American oak.

This wine could perhaps be seen as an attempt by Penfolds to answer the question what might have been if Max had had access to french oak.

It's certainly an attempt to add another fine wine to the upper part of their portfolio.

And it is a bit of a disappointment. And a surprise. In spite of the region and alcohol level this is not a huge lucious wine.

It is a fairly tight wine with pretty high amounts of added acidity, and a lot of French oak - in a tight limey style, rather than toasty or sweet coffee. Better with food it is a good wine but not worth half the price. I think they are fundamentally on the wrong track. The trials need to continue !