Penfolds Bin 138 Barossa Valley Shiraz Grenache Mataro 2019

This wine is Penfolds version of a Southern Cotes du Rhone blend, shiraz unsurprisingly the dominant partner. Quite deeply coloured, this vintage instantly appeals and intrigues with significant fruit complexity – mulberry and black pepper with roasted meat and bitumen in support plus oak adding some sweetness in the background thanks to 12-15 months in seasoned hogsheads. The palate is then more dark, brooding and savoury – a concentrated core of dark tarry fruits is supported by layers of significant tannins that provide a muscular impact. The finish is long although the fruit concentration fades a touch on the finish. This delicious and rich red blend is drinking well now but also shows some aging potential.