802-A Superblend 2018 Penfolds

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97p by Tuula Hällström
95p by Pekka Nuikki / Editor of the Fine Wine Magazines and Champagne Magazine
17.5p by Richard Hemming MW / BWW2024 Finalist
96p by Joshua Raynolds
93p by Ken Gargett
97p by Andrew Caillard MW / BWW2024 Finalist
95p by Erin Larkin / BWW2024 Finalist

Tasting note

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Written Notes

The two wines are the 802.A Cabernet Shiraz 2018 (AUD$900; AUD$2,250 for magnum) and the 802.B Cabernet Shiraz 2018 (price TBC; to be released August 2022).

Both are the traditional Aussie red – Cabernet Shiraz – and Penfolds kindly unveiled the wines at the release for a world first tasting. They are in very heavy bottles with huge punts, both sealed under cork. “A” is 1,400 cases while “B” is a little more generous with 5,000 cases.

The Penfolds 802.A Cabernet Shiraz 2018 is a very fine wine but there was too much oak for me. 93.

- Ken Gargett

Penfolds 802-A Superblend 2018 / Not made in 2019 and 2020. Made to celebrate Cabernet/Shiraz blends. Makes use of the A1-grade fruit that isn't suitable for Grange, similarly to Quantum – so that top-end grower fruit has more options. Cabernet and Shiraz matured separately for 18 months, then blended. Matured 22 months in American oak.
Black fruit, lots of floral perfume – really quite different to the 389 style, and perhaps less typically Penfolds. Still delicious with black cherry, rounded tannins, a touch of tarmac – this is almost Piedmont in aromatic profile. A little less integrated than the 802-B. (RH)

- Richard Hemming MW / BWW2024 Finalist

Inky ruby. A slow-to-open bouquet displays powerful dark berry, cherry-cola, pipe tobacco and savory herb qualities that are complemented by oak spice and coconut accents. Densely packed bitter cherry, mocha, black cardamom and fruitcake flavors show superb depth as well as energy thanks to a core of juicy acidity. Turns smokier on the strikingly long finish, which emphatically echoes the floral and cola notes. Conveys a compelling expression of sweet and savory components and finishes extremely long and youthfully tannic. Made in all new American oak.

- Joshua Raynolds

Deep Crimson. Beautiful wine with lifted blackcurrant, blackberry, mulberry, dark chocolate mocha aromas and herb garden/ chinotto notes. Inky textured and richly concentrated wine with deep set cassis, black berry fruits, hints of chinotto, plentiful fine-grained/ vigorous tannins, attractive mid-palate viscosity and superb integrated mocha malt oak notes. Finishes firm and minerally with a lovely fine chocolaty plume. Harks back to the experimental age. Aged for 22 months in 100% Australian-coopered American oak hogsheads. Lovely classic Penfolds wine. 68% cabernet sauvignon 32% shiraz. Drink 2023 -2035+ 14.5% Alc 97 points

- Andrew Caillard MW / BWW2024 Finalist

68% cabernet sauvignon, 32% shiraz.

Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, Robe, Clare Valley. 22 months in American oak hogsheads (100% new). 1400 cases (9LE).

Savoury and not as intense or concentrated as the big bois in the rest of the collection this year. Kind of supple actually…. The tannins are wild and bordering on woolly… loose knit, seductive etc.

Available August 5th in two size formats, 750ml and 1.5L (RRP $2,250). In November 2021, 802.A will be available alongside a limited-edition decanter.

95pts

- Erin Larkin / BWW2024 Finalist

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