Penfolds is one of Australia’s most prestigious vineyards. Most notably known for their award-winning range of Grange wines, their preeminent release of 2021 is their California Collection.
The California Collection consists of four beautiful red wines: Bin 149 Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Bin 98 Quantum Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Bin 704 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 and Bin 600 California Cabernet Shiraz 2018. Twenty years in the making, the California Collection is essential for all wine lovers.
Penfolds has a long history in Australian winemaking. Starting in South Australia in 1844, Penfolds has become synonymous with luxury wines and are called Australia’s most collected wine. Under the leadership of Mary Penfold in the late nineteenth century, Penfolds wines grew to be the largest winery in South Australia. By 1920, they were producing one-third of South Australia’s wine. Mary established an environment of innovation and experimentation in wine production methods. This culture resulted in the development of Penfolds’ most famous wine, Grange, developed by Max Schubert in the 1950s. The California Collection is the latest innovation from Penfolds and is on its way to becoming as prominent as Grange.
Development of the California Collection has been occurring for twenty years. It all started when Penfolds decided to take heritage vines from their South Australian vineyards and plant them in Californian soil. Whilst world blends are not new to the world of wine, in the world of luxury wines, Penfolds is unparalleled.
Bin 149 Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 has an intense dark fruit flavour with hints of dark chocolate. Matured in French and American Oak, it has a slight oaky and nutty flavour.
Bin 98 Quantum Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is the highest-rated wine in the collection, scoring on average 98 points. As the pinnacle of the collection, it is a multi-layered wine with complex dark berry and fruit tones, a smoky and earthy aftertaste with a subtle hint of spice with every sip. Already a remarkable wine, it will only improve with age.
Bin 704 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is a full-bodied wine. The dark chocolate, berry and coffee flavours make it concentrated and powerful. A great wine to add to a collection and recommend to be best consumed after 2024.
Bin 600 California Cabernet Shiraz 2018 is full of lavish chocolate flavour, accompanied by hints of cherry, berry and sweet liquorice. Lightly spiced, it is beautiful to drink by itself or serve with a delicious meal containing red meat.
The inaugural release of the California Collection in 2021 is innovative in the world of luxury wines. Penfolds has created a classic collection that is undoubtedly necessary for any wine lovers collection.