Penfolds Superblend 802-B Cabernet Shiraz 2018

Part of a pigeon pair and Penfolds project to showcase South Australian Cabernet Shiraz blends. 802.B is made from cabernet sauvignon (55%) and shiraz (45%) that has been aged for 19 months in French oak hogsheads, 54% of which were new. Fruit is sourced from Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, Robe and Clare Valley. The use of French oak here has created quite a different and finer wine than the 802.A. There is beautiful purity of generous and focussed fruit – red and blackcurrant fruits well matched to high quality oak. The palate then takes on more violet and graphite nuances over a core of dark fruits. Tannins are high yet fine and drive a finish of exceptional power and length. It is an impressive and benchmark example of Cabernet Shiraz that will drink well for at least two decades.