Style is the key word that unlocks the door to an understanding of Penfolds… and this year’s Collection Release (2019) definitively delivers on style. House Style is a philosophy the winemaking team have upheld since founder Dr Christopher Rawson Penfold first planted grapes at Magill in 1844. Quite simply, the wines showcase multi-regional blending, multi-varietal blending, multi-vineyard blending and they have over time, established their own personalities and international reputations.
Led by flagship Grange, a wine consistently released since the experimental vintage in 1951, the Collection features a line-up of stalwarts including; Yattarna, St Henri, Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, and more recently Bin 23 Pinot Noir….a newer inclusion with ten years work experience at Penfolds so far!
All the wines in the Collection continue to develop and improve for many years after release. Just how long they should be kept depends on whether you enjoy your wine with some youthfulness or fully matured with that added complexity of bottle age.
Chief Winemaker, Peter Gago said, “All Penfolds winemakers employ a personal responsibility and great pride in the wines they make. Steph Dutton, Emma Wood, Andrew Baldwin, Kym Schroeter, Matt Woo, Shavaughn Wells, Andrew Hales and Dominic Coulter. As a team the group is committed to making wines that are complex, with a definitive and distinctive Penfolds character. Each displays an individual style, a style that is the result of years skilful blending and access to the best possible fruit, oak and time….”
In Penfolds 175th year of celebrations, Peter also acknowledges those dedicated beyond the immediate winemaking team who are inextricably involved in the Penfolds story, for without their contribution and care, these beautiful wines would not be so profound. For instance, independent growers have been supplying Penfolds with grapes for over a century, with some relationships with growers extending several generations.
This year, in Penfolds 175th anniversary, The Penfolds Collection 2019 highlights include:
• Chief Winemaker Peter Gago celebrates 30 years at Penfolds
• The 2019 Collection release spans five vintages: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019
• Retired Penfolds Winemaker John Bird has now witnessed 60 vintages at Penfolds
• Bin 23 Pinot Noir 10th anniversary (years since the first vintage)
• Bin 51 Eden Valley Riesling 20th anniversary (years since the first vintage)
• Reserve Bin A Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 25th anniversary (years since the first vintage)
• Kalimna Bin 28 Shiraz 60th anniversary (years since the first vintage)
Wines from the Penfolds Collection 2019 will be available for sale in Malaysia at select fine wine stores in September. Consumers will also get the chance to try a flight of wine from the Penfolds Collection 2019, at a wine pairing dinner on 15th November 2019.