2001 Penfolds RWT Barossa Valley Shiraz Winery: Penfolds Vintage: 2001 Region: Barossa Valley Bottle Size: 750ml Variety: Shiraz Price: $175.00 (out of stock)

RWT Barossa Valley Shiraz 2001

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 in French oak barriques. The initials RWT stand for 'Red Winemaking Trial', the name given to the project internally when developmental work began in 1995.

RWT Shiraz was launched in May 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.

Regional Source

Barossa Valley. (over 40% from Penfolds Kalimna Vineyard).

Vintage Conditions

Good winter rains and soil moisture levels led to a very good early growing season. Growth was vigorous and flowering was successful but the exceptional January saw the hottest recorded weather since the 1920s. Rain in mid-March did more good than harm, although vineyards with lower crops, were picked earlier and avoided much of the heat and certainly the rain.

Grape Variety

Shiraz (Syrah)

Maturation

14 months in 65% new, and 35% one-year-old French oak.

Winemaker Comments:

Peter Gago - Penfolds Chief Winemaker

Colour

Magenta with a deep purple core.

Nose

An archetypal refined Barossa Shiraz nose with liquorice, blackberry and plum aromas over a tar underlay. With closer inspection, higher floral notes arise meshed with lemony, scented oak.

Palate

Perfectly balanced with dark berry fruits framed by spicy French Oak. Impressive layers of flavour make up the generous mid palate. Texturally enticing, with beguiling, silky fine-grained tannins that appear talc-like, and powdery, even alongside St Henri. Stylistically pleasing, with more pervasive French Oak and superior balance and texture, relative to earlier RWT releases.

Wine Analysis

Alc/Vol: 14.0%  Acidity: 6.70g/L  pH: 3.54

Last Tasted  

22 Jan 2004

Peak Drinking  

2008 - 2023

Food Matches

Ideally suited to Beef, Cheese, Lamb