The 2003 Penfolds Magill Estate Shiraz is the twenty first vintage of this monopole. The evolution of its style subtly continues.
Regional Source: Magilll Estate Vineyard, 8km from Adelaide's General Post Office.
Vintage Conditions: 2003 served as a reminder of the unique micro-climate of the Magill Estate Vineyard. Despite drought conditions and warm temperatures, the cooling gully winds, sloping site and unique aspect that results from being totally surrounded by residential housing allowed the deep rooted dry-grown old vines of the Magill Estate Vineyard to thrive. The crop was hand-picked over two days in late February.
Grape Variety: Shiraz (Syrah)
Maturation: This wine was matured for 14 months in a combination of 64% new French and 26% new American oak hogsheads, and 10% one year old French oak hogsheads.
A good depth of dark black cherry.The nose shows instantly recognisable Magill Estate perfume of florals and distinctive assemblage characters. Stylish cedar oak and barrel ferment characters meld in with spice, savoury/earthy notes over plum and raspberry fruits. A structurally impressive, 'crafted' wine. Medium bodied, layered, defined and integrated Valrhona chocolate and coffee grind flavours that whirl into a panaforte mix of dates and soaked/macerated plums. Tannins and oak are balanced, evident but not showy. This is a deceptively powerful 2003 that highlights careful fruit selection across its vineyard blocks and rigorous barrel culling. Peter Gago
Looks good. Lots of sweet cedary oak, as is the Magill Estate shiraz way, but take the wine in your mouth and find oodles of plump, juicy, fleshy fruit, the bite of the tannins then minerally and strong. There are some baked elements to the fruit but it’s got excellent body and soul. Drink: 2006-2014. 92 points Campbell Mattinson, Winefront Monthly
Just slightly lacking in genuine length and ripeness, cultivated but slightly cooked shiraz reveals richly concentrated aromas of blueberries, cassis and dark plums backed by suggestions of pepper and cloves. Meaty and juicy, it’s smooth and cultivated, delivering a slightly salty expression of deep, dark and slightly sour-edged plums and cranberries breaking up just fractionally at the smoky, mineral finish. (Adelaide Metropolitan, $100 retail, approx., 89 points, drink 2011-2015) Jeremy Oliver
