2009 Penfolds, Bin 798 RWT Shiraz, Barossa Valley

Opaque violet color. Potent, spice-accented aromas of dark berry compote, cola, and potpourri, with a vanilla nuance gaining strength with air. Fleshy, palate-staining dark berry flavors show excellent depth and definition, with spicecake and candied violet notes adding complexity. Weighty, sweet and powerful on a finish that features floral and star anise elements.

Tasted at the “Rewards of Patience” vertical in Berlin. The 2009 RWT has a ravishing, opulent bouquet that even at this early stage, demonstrates a little more delineation than the 2008. It is very pure, perhaps a little alcoholic, but complex with dark plum, blueberry and kirsch aromas with exotic fruit, apricot and mango in the background. The palate is full-bodied with and corpulent. The acidity seems a little lower, but it is still harmonious and generous with layers of saturated black plum, blueberry, white pepper and a touch of thyme towards the thickset finish. Excellent. Drink 2014-2028+ Tasted June 2012.

Medium-deep garnet purple in color, the 2009 RWT Shiraz opens to youthful nose of plum preserves and blackberry tart with undertones of black earth, pepper plus hints of tar and cedar. It is a little hollow and hard on the palate and finished a bit clipped.