Penfolds Shiraz Grenache Mataro Bin 138 2012

“Traditional Barossa varietals bask in the halo of the terrific 2012 vintage.”“The 21st release of this Penfolds Barossa Valley blend – unshakably true to its region/varietal-mix/style.”Medium to full-bodied.Substantial... structually verging on lush/viscous during this youthful developmental phase.Yet to completely unfurl – a suggestion of kirsch, maraschino... fruitcake mix. White chocolate and mocha flavors/‘powderiness’ confusingly merge with softened rounded tannins.Braised lamb shanksTwice cooked cheese souffleOsso bucco“Traditional Barossa varietals bask in the halo of the terrific 2012 vintage.”“The 21st release of this Penfolds Barossa Valley blend – unshakably true to its region/varietal-mix/style.”The Barossa Valley was planted extensively with Shiraz, Mataro and Grenacheby the early settlers. In the 1950s Penfolds started experimenting with table wine blends of Shiraz and the robust grape variety Mourvèdre (Mataro). In responseto a growing international market for the highly perfumed wines of the Southern Rhone, Penfolds introduced the 1992 vintage of the Old Vine Barossa Valley Shiraz Grenache Mourvèdre. The wine was elevated to the Bin range with the 1998Bin 138. Sourced from old, low-yielding Barossa Valley vines, this is one of the few wines that remains in component form during older, oak maturation and is blended just prior to bottling.A vintage of slightly cooler temperatures with only one significant heat event over the New Year period. Prior to budburst, winter rainfall was lower than the long-term average for most parts of the Barossa Valley. Variable conditions continued through the period from October to December, merging to a mild summer, with a few short periods of heat. The mild daytime temperatures and cool evenings across most of the ripening period allowed for impressive flavor development, without inflated baumes. Balanced canopies matched fruit load providing even, yet not too speedy, ripening. Smaller berry and bunch sizes were noticeable and this, coupled with favourable weather conditions, saw great results for some quality markers– color, tannin profile, fruit concentration and flavor depth.