Penfolds : RWT Barossa Valley Shiraz 2023

Characteristics and Tasting Advice for the Penfolds RWT Barossa Valley Shiraz 2023

Tasting

Color
The color reveals a deep purple hue at the core, reflecting the intensity of this Shiraz from Barossa Valley.

Nose
The bouquet unveils a rich aromatic palette dominated by blue and black fruits: blueberry, blackberry, elderberry and black cherry. Subtle notes of violet and blackberry candy accompany hints of summer pudding. French oak maturation adds nuances of cedar and sandalwood, enhanced by warm spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom and a touch of pepper. You will also find notes of vanilla pod, sugary doughnut, as well as woody and graphite notes with a hint of powdery smoke.

Palate
On the palate, this wine reveals a perfect harmony between fruit and oak. Fine acidity supports rich black fruits and satsuma plum. Nuanced tannins offer a silky texture, accompanied by cherry-infused chocolate and hazelnut praline. Aromas of cola and sarsaparilla blend with cracked black pepper and nutmeg, bringing subtle complexity.

Service and Cellaring
The RWT Barossa Valley Shiraz 2023 can be enjoyed now but will continue to evolve until 2048 approximately.

A generous and expressive Red wine from Barossa Valley by Penfolds

The Estate
An emblem of excellence, the Domaine Penfolds has established itself as a symbol of great Australian wines since the early 20th century, notably thanks to the tenacity of a bold figure: Mary Penfold. The famous Briton and her husband Christopher Rawson arrived in Australia in 1844 and quickly acquired a 200-hectare estate in the heart of Adelaide. Captivated by this viticultural setting, Mary Penfold devoted herself body and soul to managing the estate, making it the largest wine producer in South Australia.

Imbued with depth, elegance and complexity, the wines bearing the Penfolds signature have been praised by critics for decades and have won countless awards for their quality.

The Vineyard
The RWT cuvée comes from Shiraz vines planted in the prestigious Barossa Valley region, an emblematic terroir of Southern Australia, recognized for producing world-renowned Shiraz.

The Vintage
The 2023 vintage in Barossa Valley was marked by typical winter rainfall followed by a hot September and a cool spring. Heavy rains in late October caused flooding and vineyard damage. November storms delayed flowering by three weeks and increased disease risk. The season remained cooler than average until December–January, which was warmer and drier. Shiraz flowering in early December occurred under optimal conditions. Good day-night temperature variations promoted sugar and phenolic ripeness. Shiraz veraison on February 8 was three weeks later than usual. Warm days and cool nights during harvest yielded yields and quality that exceeded expectations despite spring challenges.

Winemaking and Aging
The RWT Barossa Valley Shiraz 2023 benefited from 14 months of aging in French oak hogsheads, 69% new and 31% one-year-old. This approach sets the RWT apart from Grange through the exclusive use of French oak, giving the wine its contemporary, opulent and refined character.

Grape Variety
100% Shiraz, an emblematic Australian varietal that here reveals all its varietal typicity and aromatic quality in Penfolds’ characteristic style.