1998 Penley Estate Coonawarra Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Opaque crimson black colour with deep crimson brick red hue, showing signs of bottle development. The nose is impressive with its prominent Cabernet top notes of spice, cedar and blackcurrant followed by a hint of new leather – quite perfumed and developing well. The palate reaffirms the nose, displaying a classic Bordeaux like Cabernet backbone. Flavours of cedar, spice and liquorice emerge followed by a peppery back palate. Fine, dry tannins, but perfectly balanced. Very long aftertaste of cedar, blackcurrant, liquorice and spice.
Cellar 3-4 years (2007-2008)
Alc/Vol 14%

First tasted, December 2001

We've been anxiously awaiting the release of this wine - one of the last 1998 Coonawarra's. The wine is every bit as good as expected, and one of the Crown Jewels of the vintage.

The wine was matured in a combination of 35% American oak and 65% French Troncais oak for a period of 30 months. Opaque black crimson colour. Superb nose, which leaps out of the glass - a perfect sniff. Wonderful aroma of violets and blackcurrant overlaid by notes of dark chocolate, marzipan and cedar. The palate delivers on the expectations of the nose with concentrated flavours of blackcurrant, spice and dark chocolate followed by plum and prune back palate flavour. Outstanding depth, perfect balance, and very fine tannin structure. Exceptionally long aftertaste of blackcurrant, spice and dark chocolate.
Cellar 8-10 years (2009-2011).
Alc/Vol 14.0%