Penfolds RWT Barossa Valley Shiraz 2003 (6 bottle limit)
RWT Shiraz was launched in May 2000 with the 1997 vintage. Its style is opulent and fleshy, contrasting with Grange, which is more muscular and assertive. RWT is made from fruit primarily selected for its aromatic qualities and fine texture rather than sheer intensity or power of flavour. The result is a wine that helps to redefine Barossa shiraz at the highest quality level.
Vineyard Region: Barossa Valley
Vintage Conditions: The Barossa Valley endured the same drought conditions as most of the country with a very cool and dry winter followed by similar weather in spring. Above average temperatures with low rainfalls restricted yields, however dry weather after February allowed the vineyards to recover quickly. Shiraz produced a strong result with ripe fruit, balanced tannins and clear varietal character.
Grape Variety: Shiraz (Syrah)
Maturation: This wine was matured for 15 months in 70% new and 30% one year old French oak hogsheads.
Dark deep red. Plush, lush, blackberry and loganberry conserve notes offer lifted sweet fruit aromas with the faintest suggestion of savoury oak. Stylistically very different from its release stablemate, 2001 Grange, with darker soy/tar notes and a trace of pepper. A svelte, structurally tightly-bound package with good grip and definition. The sweet mid-palate is wrapped in plum, chocolate and spice flavours, while pronounced grainy tannins and cedary integrated oak court a long lingering finish. At this stage of development the wine definitely needs air (a requirement, not a choice!), however the 2003 RWT is one to drink while waiting for the 2001 and 2002 to evolve. Peter Gago
A perfumed, floral and slightly meaty shiraz whose cedary fragrance of dark plums, blueberries, blackcurrant, vanilla and chocolate precede a long, tightly knit and focused shiraz that just lacks the brightness and vitality of the best years. It offers deep dark berry flavours which despite a balanced spine of fine-grained tannin just breaks up a fraction at the finish, leaving a slightly rubbery and reductive aftertaste. (Barossa Valley, $155 retail, approx., 90 points, drink 2011-2015) Jeremy Oliver
Famously French-oaked but only 70% of it new – the 1998 was the last RWT to be 100% new oak. This is a high quality 2003 shiraz: crammed with blueberry and cedar and chockers with opulent plum, an olive-like aniseedy burst resonating on the finish. Lots of sweet, mid-palate fruit, though whether the fruit flavours themselves lack a touch of definition is a question times needs to answer. Drink: 2006-2011. 92 points Campbell Mattinson, Winefront Monthly
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