Penfolds Superblend 802-A Cabernet Shiraz 2018
- 93
- $900
- Drink by: 2030 - 2040
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802-A spent its time in American oak, 22 months, 100% new. The blend is 68% Cabernet and 32% Shiraz, with the components blended after maturation. Opaque colouring with vibrant purple on the rim. There is oak here. Vanillin notes, good concentration. Chocolate, black fruits, leather, mulberries and cloves, but for me, at this stage, the oak is too dominant. The wine is powerful and dense. There is length but the flavours are very much upfront and there was not the anticipated intensity on the finish. Curious. There is obviously both quality oak and fruit, but it has not come together in the way one might expect. Time might solve some issues, though I remain, shall we say, not completely convinced. I must confess I was expecting better.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
