By Adriana Ermter
Sponsored article
Unique and singular in their efforts to consistently create exceptional bottles, Penfolds is renowned for its balanced, harmonious and complex blends. Sniff ed and swirled in a goblet these fine wines speak for themselves, as each delectable sip authenticates the quality of taste, texture and structure. And, they never go out of style. With its in-house winemaking teams accessible to wine enthusiasts at special re-corking clinics, collectors’ prized red wine bottles 15 years and over can be opened, inspected and certified. Aft er all, imbibing in a Penfolds wine should always be a special and luxurious experience.
The Fabulous Selection
The new vintages are a testament to Penfolds’ enduring 177-year “House Style” and winemaking philosophy.
Offering multi-region and multi-vineyard blends, single-region wines and a single-vineyard wine, the Collection in its entirety displays red wines of distinctive refinement and cellaring potential, while its white wines deliver on complexity and flavour. Each 750-mL bottle is distinct with a unique blend and suggested price point and available in Canada.
Going for Grange
Renowned for its aromatic complexity, intensely rich fruit and ripe tannins of Shiraz, Grange’s style and winemaking techniques haven’t altered since the fi rst experimental vintages. Aft er 70 years of unbroken vintage releases, the heritage icon is recognized by collectors around the world for its unique Australian identity, consistency and proven aging potential. It’s not surprising it continues to be one of the world’s most sought-after and collected wines.
“The original aspiration for Grange was to create a red wine capable of staying alive for a minimum of 20 years,” affirms Peter Gago, the fourth-ever Chief Winemaker for Penfolds.
“Tell that to sexagenarian vintages such as 1952, ’53, ’55 and ’62. Stunningly drinkable in 2021. In modern parlance — under promise, over deliver! Long may it continue. And modern Grange vintages such as 2008, ’10 an ’16 patiently await judgement in 2071.”
Beyond Grange, the Bins exhibit a savoury theme that runs through the 2019 reds. Additionally, each of the new red and white vintages will continue to develop and improve for many years aft er release. But they can also be opened and enjoyed immediately, particularly if you appreciate a youthful and fresh flavour. Stash them away for a special occasion and you can expect a more fully matured wine and added complexity with each passing year the bottles age.
The Perfect Superblends
Supplementing the 2021 Collection are two limited-edition wines made from parcels destined for Penfolds flagships, Superblend 802.A and 802.B Cabernet Shiraz. Created in different environments, these wines represent two unique interpretations of the iconic Australian blend. Carefully selected from the coveted 2018 South Australian vintage, both Superblend wines include significant amounts of fruit from the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Coonawarra, with smaller blending components sourced from Wrattonbully, Robe and Clare Valley. This powerful duo will be released sequentially and is designed to be collected. “These two new wines are immediately Penfolds, yet different, propelling varied attributes that will challenge and engage,” adds Gago. “Spoilt by choice, A-grade Cabernet Sauvignon and A-grade Shiraz from a wonderful har-vest; French and American oak barrels of the highest quality and that much-coveted ingredient, time, as well as winemaking blending freedom to re-configure the expected.”
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF PENFOLDS