2018 Penfolds Superblend 802.B Cabernet Shiraz - MAGNUM
98 points, Nick Stock, James Suckling
This is easily the pick of the two new, limited-release ‘Superblend’ wines from 2018 with complex spiced dark-berry and plum aromas. Graphite and cedary oak, too. Nothing dominates this wine. The palate is layered and seamless and carries pure and intense fruit flavors so long. This is on the mark. A blend of 55% cabernet sauvignon and 45% shiraz that was blended after fermentation, then matured for 19 months in French-oak hogsheads (54% new and 46% 1-year-old). Drink or hold.
98 points, Tyson Stelzer
55/45% cabernet sauvignon/shiraz, from Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, Robe and the Clare Valley. Matured, fully blended, for 19 months in 54% new French oak hogsheads; 5000 cases. Blending just post-harvest is virtually unheard of at Penfolds, and the effect of maturing almost equal proportions of cabernet and shiraz together is a harmony and integration astonishing in a youthful blend of such monumental longevity. The 2 varieties entwine seamlessly with French oak, with the tension of cabernet and the body of shiraz interlocking with dark chocolate and coffee bean. Tannins are superfine and mineral, laying out a grand trail of longevity that meets every bit of expectation in the grand lineage of Penfolds blends. A world away from Superblend A, yet intrinsically aligned to the very letter of its DNA. The pair beg the question of picking favourites, but for me they are both profoundly unique yet impossible to separate. Ask me again in 2 decades.
98 points, Nick Stock, James Suckling
This is easily the pick of the two new, limited-release ‘Superblend’ wines from 2018 with complex spiced dark-berry and plum aromas. Graphite and cedary oak, too. Nothing dominates this wine. The palate is layered and seamless and carries pure and intense fruit flavors so long. This is on the mark. A blend of 55% cabernet sauvignon and 45% shiraz that was blended after fermentation, then matured for 19 months in French-oak hogsheads (54% new and 46% 1-year-old). Drink or hold.
98 points, Tyson Stelzer
55/45% cabernet sauvignon/shiraz, from Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, Robe and the Clare Valley. Matured, fully blended, for 19 months in 54% new French oak hogsheads; 5000 cases. Blending just post-harvest is virtually unheard of at Penfolds, and the effect of maturing almost equal proportions of cabernet and shiraz together is a harmony and integration astonishing in a youthful blend of such monumental longevity. The 2 varieties entwine seamlessly with French oak, with the tension of cabernet and the body of shiraz interlocking with dark chocolate and coffee bean. Tannins are superfine and mineral, laying out a grand trail of longevity that meets every bit of expectation in the grand lineage of Penfolds blends. A world away from Superblend A, yet intrinsically aligned to the very letter of its DNA. The pair beg the question of picking favourites, but for me they are both profoundly unique yet impossible to separate. Ask me again in 2 decades.
98 points, Nick Stock, James Suckling
This is easily the pick of the two new, limited-release ‘Superblend’ wines from 2018 with complex spiced dark-berry and plum aromas. Graphite and cedary oak, too. Nothing dominates this wine. The palate is layered and seamless and carries pure and intense fruit flavors so long. This is on the mark. A blend of 55% cabernet sauvignon and 45% shiraz that was blended after fermentation, then matured for 19 months in French-oak hogsheads (54% new and 46% 1-year-old). Drink or hold.
98 points, Tyson Stelzer
55/45% cabernet sauvignon/shiraz, from Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, Robe and the Clare Valley. Matured, fully blended, for 19 months in 54% new French oak hogsheads; 5000 cases. Blending just post-harvest is virtually unheard of at Penfolds, and the effect of maturing almost equal proportions of cabernet and shiraz together is a harmony and integration astonishing in a youthful blend of such monumental longevity. The 2 varieties entwine seamlessly with French oak, with the tension of cabernet and the body of shiraz interlocking with dark chocolate and coffee bean. Tannins are superfine and mineral, laying out a grand trail of longevity that meets every bit of expectation in the grand lineage of Penfolds blends. A world away from Superblend A, yet intrinsically aligned to the very letter of its DNA. The pair beg the question of picking favourites, but for me they are both profoundly unique yet impossible to separate. Ask me again in 2 decades.
DETAILS
VINTAGE - 2018
VARIETAL - Cabernet / Shiraz
COUNTRY - Australia
REGION - Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, Robe, Clare Valley
BOTTLE SIZE - 1500ml
