The family owned Penley Estate has gone through a rebirth in recent times. New wine maker Kate Goodman has introduced a far more contemporary style of wine making, partnered with well respected viticulturist David Paxton tending to the estate vineyards. A quiet revolution taking place with wines now produced from outside of Coonawarra.

Fruit is from McLaren Flat and the anticipation of what Kate Goodman and her team can do with the variety is palpable. A wine of translucent red berries, redcurrants gripping to the stem, cherries and tea tree. There is a raspberry confection note, incredibly subtle, and some rose tea. A fine wine made in a mild vintage. A joy of grainy tannins, smeared with cumin spice. Acidity holds soprano keys and shapes the wine to be lithe and slinky. It’s sexy in every way possible; a wine for crunching through Korean barbecue meats with a bit of char. Date: Feb 2026; Drink to: 2030; Alcohol: 14%; Price: $75.00; Rating: 95 Points; James Halliday Wine Companion