2004 Penfolds RWT Bin 798 Shiraz 750ml

Critic tasting note: (2004 vintage) “The ‘anti-Grange,’ RWT is a single-region (Barossa) shiraz that is aged in 100 per cent French oak. In the case of the ’04 that’s 69 per cent new oak and 31 per cent one-year old hogsheads. The colour is nearly opaque. The nose an enticing mix of aromatic, dark red fruits with a blueberry undercurrent – a sure sign of high quality. On the palate the flavours are rich and saturated with vanilla cherry kirsch, floral, plum, licorice, smoky tobacco flavours and spicy, fine grained tannins. More finesse than power. This is a very fine RWT along the lines of the 2002. Seven years on from its first release and 10 years from the inaugural vintage RWT could be considered among the best red wine made at Penfolds. Made for the long haul. (Anthony Gismondi and Stuart Tobe).” –Gismondi on Wine

Producer Notes

Penfolds RWT Bin 798 Barossa Valley Shiraz, first made in 1997, was released after several years of red winemaking trials from which the wine takes its name. In the Penfolds tradition of trial and innovation our winemakers embarked on a project in 1995 titled ‘RWT’ – meaning ‘Red Winemaking Trial’ – to create a new Australian Shiraz integrating the rich, generous flavours of Barossa Valley Shiraz with the finesse of tightly-grained French oak. The result is a fine wine of great elegance and depth of flavour. RWT is second only to Grange in the Penfolds Shiraz hierarchy, although the two wines are stylistically different. RWT expresses Shiraz more openly than Grange. This is partly a function of the grapes themselves and partly a result of maturation in French oak, rather than stronger, sweeter-flavoured American oak. RWT is opulent and voluptuous, and fleshy where Grange is muscular.

Drinking Window: 2008-2034

Vintage Notes

Above average winter rainfall led into a promising vintage, which was characterised by mild conditions up until February, followed by hot weather conditions throughout March and April. South Australia fared well and produced wines of elegance and intensity.
Ageing: This wine was aged for 14 months in new (69%) and one year old (31%) French oak hogsheads.