The Penfolds Collection 2020 is a family of fine wines spanning five impressive white and red wine Australian vintages. Led by the 66th consecutive release of Grange, the 2020 Collection is a testament to the enduring House Style and winemaking philosophy passed down through generations of Penfolds winemakers.
The wines of the 2020 Collection stand proudly in a release that offers multi-region and multi-vineyard blends, single-region wines and a single-vineyard wine. In its entirety, this new release displays red wines of distinctive refinement and cellaring potential, and white wines which deliver on complexity and flavour.
Sophisticated and sculptured, the 2016 Grange was a crowd favourite during the recent Penfolds Rewards of Patience Edition VIII tasting, “Not playing to flagship favourites, but the 2016 Grange may politely nudge the classic 2004 and 2010. It would be brazen to rank any further back into the last millennium”, Peter Gago, Penfolds Chief Winemaker said. This Australian icon achieved a perfect score of 100 points from one of the world’s most influential wine magazines, The World of Fine Wine, and 99 points from Robert Parker. Detailed assessment of the 2016 Grange, along with reviews of current and back vintage wines from Penfolds entire portfolio, has been released.
Adding to this year’s release, Penfolds launched a new wine blended from four vintages of Grange, aptly named Penfolds g4. The blend energetically entwines Grange DNA from the exceptional 2002, 2004, 2008 and 2016 vintages to create a completely unique expression of Penfolds flagship, achieving yet again a perfect score from The World of Fine Wine and 99 points from Robert Parker. “These four Grange vintages are amongst our favourites of the last two decades. All so different – in every sense, not just climatically. The synergistic blending of these vintages worked perfectly from a quality, structural and style perspective”, says Gago. Only 2,500 exclusive bottles were filled.
While Grange leads the charge, the charm and character of the core 2018 Bins rival any Penfolds Bin released over the last half-century. This year, the 2018 Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz – a Penfolds classic with a reputation and universal appeal that transcends the ordinary and affectionately known as ‘Baby Grange’ – commemorates its 60th anniversary since it was first made in 1960 by Max Schubert. Harmonious, balanced and focused, Bin 389 remains one of the world’s most cellared red wine styles. Gago reflects on the significance of Bin 389 saying, “Put simply, Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz manifests all that is Penfolds … a wine that so many of us have grown with. This style extolls the wisdom of blending, as it does the synergies afforded by varietal and sourcing freedom.”
The cabernet stable broadens this year with the sixth release of Bin 169 Coonawarra Cabernet, a contemporary 2018 expression of cabernet which is released only in exceptional years. “This 100% cabernet dutifully puts its hand up to help champion the region” says Gago. “Vying for Bin 707 quality fruit its Coonawarra badge and French oak lodgings hold sway. Built differently, dressed differently”. Altogether different is the 2017 St Henri, a masterclass of texture with silky, polished tannins. The new release is stylish and proportioned with a great core and lovely framework – a truly exemplar St Henri vintage.
Not to be overshadowed by the reds, the four white wines released in this Collection continue to excite Penfolds winemakers. The 2019 release of Bin 311 Chardonnay caught the attention of Peter Gago during a recent tasting. He said, “From the garage to the studio, Bin 311 can now more than just whistle an enduring tune. This wine now confidently struts across a wider cool-climate stage. An awakened and enlightened blend”. The 2018 Yattarna, 2018 Reserve Bin A Adelaide Hills Chardonnay and 2020 Bin 51 Eden Valley Riesling are equally impressive.
The Penfolds Collection 2020 and Penfolds g4 are available now. For more information, visit www.penfolds.com.
Penfolds Collection 2020 wines currently available in Malaysia*:
1. 2018 Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon (97+ points by Robert Parker)
2. 2018 Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz (98 points by Andrew Caillard MW)
3. 2018 Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon (94 points by Andrew Caillard MW)
4. 2018 Bin 28 Shiraz (94 points by Andrew Caillard MW)
5. 2018 Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz (95 points by Tony Love)
6. 2018 Bin 138 Barossa Valley Shiraz Grenache Mataro (95 points by Andrew Caillard MW)
*Available via Luen Heng (West Malaysia) and Mega Express (East Malaysia)