The 2016 vintage provided an ideal opportunity to create a bona fide Penfolds Special Bin, rare and true to the Penfolds ‘House Style’. Two special Shiraz single-vineyard parcels were blended to create something beguilingly beautiful and different. The impact of the much-touted 2016 South Australian vintage on two vineyards from time-proven Grange growers has produced a Penfolds Shiraz of superb structure, balance and varietal definition. Both single-vineyard parcels reveal their own regional truths, highlighting the spoils of Clare Valley and Barossa Valley. This wine sensorial and structurally delivers more than the sum of its parts. Framed by French oak, the assemblage of Shiraz is altogether different. Indeed, an authentic Penfolds Special Bin that will reward and evolve with careful cellaring.
| Varietal
Syrah / Shiraz
|
Syrah / Shiraz |
|---|---|
| Vintage
2016
|
2016 |
| Volume
750mL
|
750mL |
| 100 Points - Wine Advocate |
| 100 Points - James Suckling |
"Powerful and elegant Clare Valley Shiraz has been combined with powerful Western Barossa fruit to create a great full-bodied South Australian shiraz. The extreme age-worthiness of the wine follows the traditional values of Penfolds.”
– James Suckling, World Renowned Wine Critic
The 2016 vintage provided an ideal opportunity to create a bona fide Penfolds Special Bin, rare and true to the Penfolds ‘House Style’. Two special Shiraz single-vineyard parcels were blended to create something beguilingly beautiful and different. The impact of the much-touted 2016 South Australian vintage on two vineyards from time-proven Grange growers has produced a Penfolds Shiraz of superb structure, balance and varietal definition. Both single-vineyard parcels reveal their own regional truths, highlighting the spoils of Clare Valley and Barossa Valley. This wine sensorial and structurally delivers more than the sum of its parts. Framed by French oak, the assemblage of Shiraz is altogether different. Indeed, an authentic Penfolds Special Bin that will reward and evolve with careful cellaring.
| Varietal
Syrah / Shiraz
|
Syrah / Shiraz |
|---|---|
| Vintage
2016
|
2016 |
| Volume
750mL
|
750mL |
| 100 Points - Wine Advocate |
| 100 Points - James Suckling |
"This new Special Bin shiraz is stunning and has such wildly deep and dark fruit, in particular very rich dark cherries and plums and plenty of attractively spicy oak on offer here. Intense and packed with youthful fruit. There’s an entrancing build of really fine tannin, carrying pure, pristine and deep-set flavors of blackberries and ripe dark cherries. The finish is carried on incredibly long, muscular and velvety tannins. Such power and elegance, really setting a new style. This is exceptional. A glorious new rung at the top of the Australian wine ladder. 51% Clare, 49% Barossa, two single plots blended and matured in French oak for 18 months. Seductively drinkable now, but this will live for decades. Best from 2028." - James Suckling, December 2019
"A new addition to the Penfolds lineup, the 2016 Bin 111A Shiraz is a blend of Clare (51%) and Barossa (49%) fruit from vineyards that have previously contributed to Grange. Aged in 100% new French oak, it's a rich, luxuriously textured wine that's packed with ripe fruit and finely textured tannins. Hints of grilled meat and exotic dried spices accent red raspberries and redcurrants in this full-bodied but exceptionally silky and elegant red that meets the high expectations for such a pricey bottling." - Joe Czerwinski, August 2019
Via reference: 54% Clare Valley, 46% Barossa Valley. Via glass: 100% Penfolds. Clare aromatics immediately evident ...iodine, caper berries and grated dark chocolate. In parallel ... a concession of powerful, generous Barossa bread and butter pudding and blueberry fruits. ‘Cross-over’ Moroccan spices – cumin, fresh cardamom, turmeric – may have entwined to reinterpret source, but not variety. Oak? Conceded. Just.
Velvety. Completely engulfs. Tempers palate ... doesn’t attack or intimidate with alcohol or extract. A mix of bitter chocolate dust, wet bitumen and a maelstrom of dark fruits reflect the wine’s age and confirm derivation. And just what is that underlying almost molasses, not quite maple syrup richness? Best guess – a sweet soy, sweet soy sauce, shiraz flavor. Oak? Crafted and assembled so deftly, somehow perceptually dovetailed into tannins and infused into acidity. No gaps, no rough edges. Harmonious.
Autumn and winter were relatively dry and cool across South Australia. Temperatures during the growing season were significantly above the long-term average in all regions, with Coonawarra recording nine days above 35ºC in December alone. Record low rainfall prevailed through September to March with the annual rainfall in Coonawarra 38% down on the average. The McLaren Vale region also experienced record low rainfall and warm weather in late spring/early summer. Cooler conditions in late February favoured the late ripening cabernet sauvignon. The Barossa Valley had 100mm less than the long-term average winter rainfall. Spring and summer were both relatively dry and warm. December was particularly hot, with access to water vital to support the vines. Some relief arrived in January and February when temperature dipped significantly. Cooler weather and rain in March slowed ripening. After a hot beginning, the welcome milder ‘Indian summer’ conditions leading into harvest across South Australia ensured even ripeness and optimal flavour.
| Grape variety
Shiraz
|
Shiraz |
|---|---|
| wine analysis
Alc/Vol: 14.5%, pH: 3.67
|
Alc/Vol: 14.5%, pH: 3.67 |
| Maturation
18 months in 100% new French oak hogsheads.
|
18 months in 100% new French oak hogsheads. |