2001 Penfolds Magill Estate Shiraz

Magill Estate Shiraz is a very important Penfolds' single-vineyard wine. It is of great symbolic importance because it is the only wine grown and made on the remaining 5 hectares of the original Penfolds property at Magill, established in 1844, in Adelaide's eastern suburbs.

First made in 1983, Penfolds Magill Estate Shiraz is an elegant, medium-weight style with velvety texture and fine tannins, matured in both new French and American oak. It is a sleek, contemporary wine, yet crafted in the old-fashioned way in the over 120-year-old winery: hand-picked, vinified in open fermenters and then basket pressed.

Vintage Conditions: A season similar to McLaren Vale, just to the south, however, the crop ripened early and came in excellent condition before the March rain. Fruit was hand picked between February 12th and 15th, the earliest Magill Estate vintage on record. The fruit again benefited from the 'hands-on', open-fermented, basket pressed approach, literally metres from the vineyard. Matured for 14 months in new French (73%) and American (27%) oak.

Tasting Note: Lively deep crimson colour. At once both savoury and spicy. Nutmeg and plummy/dark cherried fruitcake aromas oscillate alongside notes of rum and raisin dark chocolate. Cedary French oak helps preserve the varietal and regional aromatic integrity of this single estate shiraz. A medium weight palate, with mulberry and wild raspberry fruits, tightly contained by satiny tannins that literally coat the whole mouth. Charming, balanced, and long lingering flavours, are courted by malty oak and ideal acidity.
Peak Drinking: 2005-2015
Alc/Vol: 14.0%