A stunning and distinctive expression, with notes of black walnut liqueur, mocha, cardamom, juicy maraschino cherry and salted black licorice, plus a touch of plum paste. The tannins are fine-grained and polished, with a long, spicy finish. Drink now through 2035.
94 points, MaryAnn Worobiec, Wine Spectator (Sep 2024)
This inky-hued Shiraz is dense, ripe and powerful with quite a bit of oak on display. Chocolate and dusting polish perch atop the concentrated dark fruit and pepper spice on the nose. The palate is rich and luscious, framed in muscular tannins that support, rather than overpower. Classic Penfolds, this drinks well now with protein but could cellar for several more years.
93 points, Christina Pickard, Wine Enthusiast (Mar 2024)
Fresh blueberry depths invest this wine’s tannins with black velvet riches. You can sense the integration of Penfolds’ winemaking, finishing the fermentation in oak. Rosemary and thyme. Luscious and delicious. Ripe and open. It’s not exciting, perhaps, just comforting and beautiful. From an epic vintage, this will last for years. And yet, even now, it’s supple and easy to love.
93 points, Joshua Greene, Wine & Spirits (Dec 2023)
The 2021 Bin 28 Shiraz hails from five regions: McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Padthaway, Wrattonbully and Clare Valley. The wine matured for 12 months in American oak (7% new), and this really amplifies the sweet fruit characters in the mouth. It's already nicely integrated aromatically, despite being poured and opened in the same instance (i.e., no preparation prior to tasting), and is redolent with red and purple berry fruit. Spicy, full throttle and loads of tannin in the mouth. Nicely chewy. The first vintage of this wine was in 1959. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
92 points, Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate (Jul 2023)
The type of full-weighted Australian shiraz that many expect. While it could be argued that that the style is a bit fusty, what cannot be denied is the moreish feel. Iodine, clove and boysenberry billow toward a nourishing and forceful finish and the reality is that this cuvee, as with so many in the stable, is reliable and delicious. Sure, the oak is a bit fuzzy, but there is plenty to like. Drink or hold.
92 points, Ned Goodwin, James Suckling (Jul 2023)
A McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Padthaway, Wrattonbully and Clare Valley sourced shiraz matured in American oak (7% new) for 12 months. Deep crimson in the glass, the wine initially comes across a little shy, showing itself in the traditional Penfolds 'house style' after some time in the glass. Plentiful black and plummy fruit depth with hints of spice, roasting meats, soy sauce, charcuterie, Old Jamaica chocolate, licorice and earth. Tenses somewhat on the medium-length finish.
92 points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion (Jul 2023)
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