Penfolds : RWT Barossa Valley Shiraz 2022

The 2022 RWT Bin 798 is archetypal Barossa Shiraz: it has red earth, ironstone, mulberry, blood plum, sumac spices and dried herbs in profusion. The wine is earthy, tannic and ripe, with a framing of charry oak. I find this to be muscular, dense, intense and super concentrated, and for lovers of the RWT style, this will likely cement itself as one of the greats. It is a massive wine, well-handled and powerful. It matured for 14 months in French oak hogsheads, 67% new. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.

Offers an impressive, expansive and precise mix of chocolate-covered maraschino cherry, blueberry syrup, singed palo santo, malty Assam black tea and cedar accents. Bay leaf, oud and toasted cumin details linger as the tannins firm up, with an appealing grip on the finish. Drink now through 2041. 360 cases imported.

Unlike many of Penfolds’ elite Shiraz wines, Bin 798’s exclusive use of French oak hogsheads (67% new) presents a significantly different character than its stablemates, being more elegant and rarefied, despite the core ingredient being juicy Barossa Shiraz. While the fruity flavors sing, the silky palate certainly benefits from a more relaxed tannin profile—especially when compared to previous vintages. It makes the wine more approachable now, but certainly doesn’t sacrifice any of its durability or cellaring potential.

Fascinating, subtle aromas of blackberry, cloves and white pepper with some cedar. Medium-bodied with dark fruit and creamy tannins that are integrated and polished. Fine and focused finish. Very drinkable now, but will age nicely.

This 2022 Shiraz RWT Bin 798 from Barossa Valley has decadent levels of flavor, wound up in a deep pool of muscular tannins that promise a very long life. Bold and expressive, it almost fills the room with tarry, meaty, bloody aromas and a powerful undertow of French oak. A tighter palate follows, with blackberry and blueberry flavors building slowly through a rich, full-flavored finish. Far from ready to drink now, but will reward the (very) patient.

The 2022 RWT Shiraz Bin 798 is, as usual, 100% Shiraz from the Barossa Valley. It was aged for 14 months in French oak hogsheads, 67% new. Deep garnet-purple in color, it prances out of the glass with flamboyant notes of preserved plums, blueberry compote, and blackberry pie, opening out to reveal hints of licorice, menthol, Indian spices, and fragrant earth. The full-bodied palate is chock full of spicy black fruit flavors with a solid structure of firm, grainy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and exotic. According to chief winemaker Peter Gago, 2021 and 2022 in South Australia were as good as it gets for grape-growing. 2022 was relatively cool—cooler than 2021. There were no temperature peaks above 35 degrees Celsius in 2022.