G'Day!

It's that time of year again - the annual Penfold's tasting. Always a highlight, this year it certainly disappoint, though the best wasn't what it usually is - Grange. I won't go through all the wines, but the 2002 Penfold's Bin 389 Cabernet-Shiraz was spectacular. Called "baby-Grange" because it uses the reverse of the Shiraz-often time Cabernet in Grange, plus it uses the previous years barrels that Grange is matured in. Wonderful black plums with hints of spice. Excellent. On to the big-boys... the 2002 Yattarna Chardonnay was not as rich and buttery as in years past. Rich, warm tropical fruits, with just hints of minerals(?). I can't believe I actually liked it! The 2002 Magill Estate Shiraz, the original estate where Grange was first made by Max Schubert back in 1951, was slightly disjointed and unbalanced - perhaps just being youthful, but it just didn't make it at this tasting. The 2000 Grange was almost black with black pepper, black plums, graphite, anise, cedar and leather. It is quite a bit more fruit-forward and a bit lighter than other young Grange's that I've had. Great wine, but not a blockbuster. I think even better than the Grange was the 2002 RWT Barossa Valley Shiraz. Stick your nose in the glass and it's like smelling black licorice... loads of anise with cedar, smoke, meat and black fruits along with a nice dose of black pepper. A great wine!!! Finally, my favorite of the tasting was the 2002 Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon. I have always liked this wine, but never loved it. This is a blockbuster 707 - full of black currant and red cherry fruits, with gripping tannins, clove, tobacco, smoke and leather. The finish is long and sweet. This is a jammy cab, but outstanding. Very nicely balanced. While the Grange wasn't the highlight of the tasting, it is also 2 vintages behind the outstanding 2002, which in a few years should be an outstanding Grange. They were talking that it may be as good as the 1998... we'll see! Also had some leftover 1996 Moet & Chandon Brut Rose that was spectacular... too bad it was the last one!