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.

Angus Hughson

Founder at Winepilot

Angus is an award-winning wine writer and the Founder and Publisher of Winepilot, the Australian Editor for leading international publication VINOUS with Antonio Galloni based in New York City and the Co-Publisher of The Australian Ark with over 15 years of publishing, writing and judging experience.

Criticauthor and publisher