Product Information:
Beneath all the opulence and intensity, there is a lovely approachability to RWT. There is an earthy depth, with ironstone adding to the wine's aromatic profile. Layers continue to unfold with espresso and bitter chocolate adding richness, while rhubarb and fermented tea bring a unique edge. Indeed the French oak has been well tempered by the dark brooding Barossa Valley fruit. This vintage will reward several years of cellaring. This RWT Bin 798 Shiraz 2022 comes gift boxed.
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’, 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 plush texture. The result is a wine that helps to redefine Barossa shiraz at the highest quality level. RWT wines are built for the long haul, with the precision, concentration and balance to age for many years.
Maker:
Penfolds has been a pioneer in the world of winemaking since its establishment in 1844 by Dr. Christopher and Mary Penfold. The company's success has been driven by a lineage of visionary winemakers who have pushed the development of the company to extraordinary, bold new heights. Mary Penfold's reign at the helm of Penfolds saw years of determination and endeavour, experimenting with new methods in wine production. In 1948, Max Schubert became the company's first Chief Winemaker and he propelled Penfolds onto the global stage with his experimentation of long-lasting wines - the creation of Penfolds Grange in the 1950s. Soon, the medals began flowing, and Grange quickly became one of the most revered wines around the world. In 2012, Penfolds released its most innovative project to date - 12 handcrafted ampoules of the rare 2004 Kalimna Block Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, Penfolds continues to hold dear the philosophies and legends that have driven the company's success since its establishment in 1844.
Vineyard:
The Barossa Valley enjoyed near average winter rainfall influenced by various climate patterns. The impact of La Niña in South Australia was minimal over the growing season. Heading into budburst, soil moisture levels were on the lower side due to below-average rainfall in August and September. While spring was generally warm, temperatures remained modest for much of the season. October brought its share of challenges with heavy rains and isolated hail damage from thunderstorms late in the month. November continued the trend of above-average rainfall, while December stayed dry. The summer months were marked by temperate conditions, with only 11 days exceeding 35°C and no extreme heat events above 40°C. Ideal weather during harvest time - with significant day-to-night temperature shifts -allowed canopies to maintain health and support sugar development and phenolic maturity in the grapes without risking desiccation. These conditions culminated in a vintage that allowed winemakers to harvest grapes at their peak ripeness and freshness.
Nose - Dark Fruits, Walnut, Allspice
Walnut, clove, nutmeg, pepper and dark fruits on the nose.
Palate - Ripe Plum & Black Fruits, Red Earth, Espresso
Dusting of espresso grounds alongside plum, black fruits, red earth and almond. White cherry and cherry pip lead, their fruitiness matched by chocolate undertones.
Finish - Oak Spice, Confection, Mouth-coating Tannins
Red and blue fruits come forward - mulberries and red currants - offering a spectrum of berry flavours and subtle spiciness of pink peppercorns.
2022 Bin 798 Shiraz is a brilliant wine with cascades of dark berry fruits and perfectly integrated new French oak. The fruit and tannins are neatly aligned giving the wine a continuous and unbroken line. It has a Grange-like stature that suggests a long life ahead. It is one of the standout wines of the release and the 2022 Barossa vintage. - Andrew Caillard MW, 99 Points.
Glass staining dense purple colour; walnut, clove, nutmeg, pepper and dark fruits on the nose, very deep and concentrated in the mouth, with assorted black fruits and bitumen on palate, and lashings of powdery but mouth-coating and insistent tannins. A big and strongly built shiraz for the long haul. (14 months in French oak hogsheads, 67% new). - Huon Hooke, The Real Review, 96 Points.
While no longer a trial, RWT (Red Winemaking Trial) remains a work in progress. It was developed as a modern interpretation to the Barossa Valley tradition of matching shiraz with American oak. The role of oak – all French – is something integral to the style, but each release has slowly revealed a more sensitive oak application and presence. This is the case in 2022, and it is to be congratulated. The scent sends that message with subtle allspice, clove, a dusting of espresso grounds alongside plum, black fruits, red earth and almond. The wine changes in the glass, first firm and resistant, then friendly, yielding a warm generosity enhanced by some smart, well placed background oak and a firm tannin presence. The latter is for the journey ahead, but it is not off-putting to those who might wish to succumb to temptation. - Jeni Port, Wine Pilot, 95 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Shiraz
Country - Australia
Region - Barossa Valley, South Australia
Vintage - 2022
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14.5%
