1 / 1
Exploring various viticultural regions across the globe, the latest collection from this Australian winery has bottles from Australia, California and France
Penfolds will be releasing its 2022 collection this August and there’s much to be excited about. For one, the annual collection release will be showcasing the award-winning Australian wine producer’s enduring ‘House Style’ in a global context.
This means on top of Australian bottles, the latest collection will also comprise two other countries of origin portfolios—California and France—both of which have embraced the brand’s distinct house style and winemaking philosophy.
Read more: 4 Liquor NFTs That Are Shaking Up the Alcohol Industry
1 / 1
Among its latest release, Penfolds has unveiled two wines made in France. One of them is the Penfolds II Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 2019, a bottle created in partnership with Dourthe Bordeaux, one of Bordeaux’s most respected winemaking houses.
A ‘ground-breaking’ bottle, according to Dourthe CEO, Patrick Jestin, the Penfolds II combines traditional French winemaking techniques and Penfolds’ Australian winemaking style.
Read more: 6 Best Brandies in Singapore You Should Know About
“[The result of this bottle is] a totally original, innovative wine—Penfolds II—which far surpassed all our expectations, while remaining true to the culture and style of our respective countries and houses,” shares Jestin.
Made from the 2019 vintage, the wine blends grape varietals from Bordeaux and South Australia. The result is one that is light and subtle on the palate, binding both the Old World and New.
Above Bordeaux Vineyard Credit: Leif Carlsson
Bordeaux Vineyard Credit: Leif Carlsson
1 / 1
The other expression to be released alongside Penfolds II is the 2019 Penfolds FWT 585, a trial bin wine made of 53 per cent cabernet sauvignon, 34 per cent merlot and 13 per cent petit verdot. Created by Penfolds senior winemaker Emma Wood, this bottle is earthy and spicy, with notes of lavender, sage and ginger.
Both the 2019 Penfolds II Cabernet Shiraz Merlot and 2019 Penfolds FWT 282 mark the start of Penfolds’ French winemaking journey.
“The wines made in France pay respect to French terroir, yet one thing remains overly consistent—the Penfolds stamp… We have the French sun above and soil beneath, but everything in between is Penfolds,” explains Penfolds chief winemaker, Peter Gago.
In case you missed it: New Wine Bar Alert: Why Club Street Wine Room Can Be Your New Gastronomic Destination
Above Cat Canyon vineyard, California
Cat Canyon vineyard, California
1 / 1
Both French expressions are joined by bottles from California—this follows the wine producer’s inaugural release of Penfolds Californian wines in 2021. This year, anticipate three Californian expressions: 2019 Bin 149 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019 Bin 704 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2019 Bin 600 Cabernet Shiraz.
Of course, a slew of Australian releases will also be available in the 2022 collection and will be led by the flagship 2018 Penfolds Grange. Look forward to exceptional Australian wines, including the 2020 Yattarna Chardonnay, a rich expression made with a blend of Chardonnay grapes sourced from the Adelaide Hills; and the 2020 Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, crafted with 53 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon and 47 per cent Shiraz.
The Penfolds Collection 2022 will be available from August 4, 2022 at selected retailers.
Topics
Amanda Goh was the former senior writer for Tatler Singapore.
