Penfolds RWT Shiraz 2001

Cost: AU$150
Date: 11 October 2005, Chung Yeung Festival
Venue: Gaia Italian Restaurant

The wine was decanted at the restaurant. Colour was deep red, almost purplish. Nose was powerful with berry and plum aroma. Palate was rich and 'Ribena like'. There was none of the typical Australian shiraz spiciness. Although the wine was matured for 14 months in French oak, there wasn't excessive oakiness. Winemakers tend to think oak is a cure all and can impart complexity in a simple wine, but sometimes a wine becomes all wood and no grape if the underlying juice is not concentrated enough. Old oak barrels are also a source of brettanomyces contamination. This is not a problem with the 2001 RWT.
The entree included deep fried porcini mushroom in batter, tomato and basil puree, parma ham, and various cheese. They went very well with the wine, and the RWT became even more rich and luscious after 45 minutes' airing, finish was incredible. The main course was roasted Sardinia suckling pig with side vegetables but I prefer the Chinese roasting style. The meat was juicy but flavourless.
The RWT is right up there with the Grange and cost only half as much. It will improve with a few more years of cellaring.

Rating: excellent