Penfolds RWT Shiraz presents an admirable alternative to the multi-regional sourcing and American oak maturation that are hallmarks of Grange, expressing instead, single-region Barossa Valley Shiraz matured only in French oak. The initials RWT stand for ‘Red Winemaking Trial’, the name given to the project internally when developmental work began in 1995. Naturally, now no longer a ‘Trial’ RWT Shiraz was launched inMay 2000 with the 1997 vintage. Its style is opulent and fleshy, contrasting with Grange, which is more muscular and assertive. RWT is made from fruit primarily selected for its aromatic qualities and fine texture rather than sheer intensity or power of flavour. The result is a wine that helps to redefine Barossa Shiraz at the highest quality level.

Deep crimson. Lovely intense dark cherry, blackberry, mulberry praline aromas with ginger notes. Classical in structure yet Penfoldsian in character with dense dark cherry, blackberry dark chocolate flavours, plentiful fine chalky/ graphite tannins, superbly integrated roasted chestnut vanilla oak and underlying cedar complexity. Finishes al-dente firm with beautiful mineral length and bitter-sweet notes. Superb fruit density and torque. Rating: 98 Points; Andrew Caillard MW

Very deep red/purple colour. Profound aromas of roasted nuts, smoked meats, graphite earthiness, iron-stoniness, tar, a hint of blackberry jam. The palate is very full-bodied and broad, a wide-bodied wine with masses of tannins that coat the entire palate. An exotic, decadent wine with hints of surmaturité, opulent to its very long finish. There's more grip, grunt and rusticity than the Magill, but it's just as good in its way. It's a great foil and contrast for the Magill. (18 months in French oak hogsheads, 57% new, 43% one year old) Date: Jun 2021; Alcohol: 14.5%; Price: $200.00; Drink: 2023-2046; Rating: 98 Points; Huon Hooke; The Real Review

Super-premium shiraz, in intent and in the glass. Powerful to the point of portiness, indeed it’s almost tokay-like, with tea leaves and malt, plum and roasted nut characters woven into licorice, cedar and sweet blackberry. All the feels. All the things. This is steadfastly unsubtle. If it was a meal you wouldn’t slice it, you’d axe it. It’s so powerful, it hums. It’s going places but not in a hurry. Date: Jul 2021; Alcohol: 14.5%; Price: $200; Closure: Screwcap; Drink: 2026-2034+; Rated: 95 Points; Campbell Mattinson; The Wine Front