WTN: 1999 Penfolds RWT (Red Winemaking Trial)

1999 Penfolds Shiraz RWT - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (9/13/2008)
1st bottle cracked of the half-dozen (TN from remaining half -the bottle was opened the previous night)

It's very much in the Penfolds prestige style, even with the use of french (not american) oak.

Colour is dense black-purple, beyond the rim it's firmly opaque.

The nose is densely black-fruited with a touch of black pepper and with a faintly orange liquer lift. Reminds me a lot of the fruit profile of the young Grange I tasted many years ago.

On the palate the tannins aren't too grippy and the fruit is dense blackberry with a touch of blackcurrant. Acidity fights a fair battle against such a big wine and it's definitely sufficient to hold the wine together. The finish is noticeably long. There is some "fruity" complexity , but for me the wine for now is still too youthful, albeit it's not unreasonable to open one now if you prize rich primary fruit.

regards

Ian

[Jenise]

1999 Penfolds Shiraz RWT - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (9/13/2008)
1st bottle cracked of the half-dozen (TN from remaining half -the bottle was opened the previous night)

It's very much in the Penfolds prestige style, even with the use of french (not american) oak.

Colour is dense black-purple, beyond the rim it's firmly opaque.

The nose is densely black-fruited with a touch of black pepper and with a faintly orange liquer lift. Reminds me a lot of the fruit profile of the young Grange I tasted many years ago.

On the palate the tannins aren't too grippy and the fruit is dense blackberry with a touch of blackcurrant. Acidity fights a fair battle against such a big wine and it's definitely sufficient to hold the wine together. The finish is noticeably long. There is some "fruity" complexity , but for me the wine for now is still too youthful, albeit it's not unreasonable to open one now if you prize rich primary fruit.

regards

Ian

Not ten minutes ago I was in my cellar assessing the readiness of a 98 Dead Arm, Clarendon Astralis, Mt. Langhi Ghiran and Coriole "Lloyd's" vs. a 99 RWT and an 00 RWT among others to take to a birthday dinner where BBQ ribs will be the main course. You've probably just talked me out of opening the RWTs, thanks. (Looks like the Dead Arm and the Lloyd's are in the best place right now.)

Jenise,
If you decide to open the '98 Deadarm pls post a note. I think I have one or two tucked away in the cellar.
Thanks,
Bill

[Jenise]

Jenise,
If you decide to open the '98 Deadarm pls post a note. I think I have one or two tucked away in the cellar.
Thanks,
Bill

Will do, Bill. Haven't decided yet. Was just reading notes on Cellar Tracker. On the one hand, it will dazzle and I need to dazzle--these people can buy anything they want, so something that's great but not on their usual path will be the way to go. On the other hand, it's best days could still be ahead of it, and I only have the one bottle. What to do, what to do....

Jenise
You're the 2nd person to mention this wine was starting to come onto your 'drinking radar'... I guess that 10 year mark prompts the thought. Having a half-dozen helped give me the impetus to open one. I knew it would be too young for my tastes, but with the tannins not obtrusive this is offering good drinking now, though I'm looking at maybe another 5-15 years for my preferences.

I recall the 1998 Dead Arm. Possibly the most bone-headed wine/food match of my life. We popped into a local wine shop (Oddbins) to get a couple of bottles to take to a Vegetarian restaurant. I knew I wanted to try the Dead Arm but gave nil thought to what food we were eating. A very poor (and stupid) match for some very fine veggie food. I suspect this will still be big so might even warrant a decant.

I've yet to try the Coriole (one that, like the Dead Arm was on my radar a while back), but it's never quite found it's way into my shopping basket (electronic, physical or metaphorical).

regards

Ian