The richness/darkness/tannins explicitly implicate Northern Barossa, possibly Moppa sub-regional genetics. Impressions of dark roasted meats, oxtail, slow-cooked beef cheek, sweet marrow… lend themselves texturally to explain the palate’s ‘thickness’/viscosity. Flavours of dark chocolate (avec nougat and nuts), soy, charcoal and fusel oils fill all palate gaps.

Penfolds RWT Shiraz presents an admirable alternative to the multi-regional sourcing and American oak maturation that are hallmarks of Grange, expressing instead, single-region Barossa Valley Shiraz matured only in French oak. 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’ RWT Shiraz was launched inMay 2000 with the 1997 vintage. 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 fine texture rather than sheer intensity or power of flavour. The result is a wine that helps to redefine Barossa Shiraz at the highest quality level.