2015 Magill Estate Shiraz

Very deep inky black colored, the 2015 Shiraz Magill Estate has a youthfully mute, broody nose of baked blackberries, preserved plums, crème de cassis and mocha with hints of tobacco, hoisin and cardamom. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and with great elegance and poise, this is a restrained, earthy, understated style with some playful exotic spice nuances coming through on the finish.

Sourced from the original Magill vineyard on the edge of Adelaide’s eastern suburbs (just eight kilometres from the city’s CBD), fruit is crushed, fermented and matured on-site at the original Penfolds Magill Estate Winery, established in 1844. First produced in 1983. Hand-picked on 9 and 10 February 2015, vinified in open fermenters and then basket pressed to complete fermentation in barrel. Autumn and early winter rainfall and temperatures were above the long-term average. Rain stopped abruptly in early August with only light showers observed throughout spring. Warm and dry conditions continued throughout the season, which resulted in rapid grapevine growth and early flowering. February brought weekend heat spikes, pushing mean maximum temperatures well above the average, resulting in early ripening and harvest. 100% Shiraz. TA 7.2 g/l, pH 3.52. 18 months in 70% new French, 30% new American oak hogsheads. Dark purple. Very dense. Rich and very high toned. Sweet and with extremely high tannins. Lots of dried spices on the nose – handmade and with lots of dry integrity on the end. Very different form the Penfolds norm. Much drier and more traditional. (JR)

Very deep inky black colored, the 2015 Shiraz Magill Estate has a youthfully mute, broody nose of baked blackberries, preserved plums, creme de cassis and mocha with hints of tobacco, hoisin and cardamom. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and with great elegance and poise, this is a restrained, earthy, understated style with some playful exotic spice nuances coming through on the finish. Oct 2017, www.robertparker.com