Penfolds Magill Estate is the spiritual home of Penfolds and one of the few single-vineyard, estate-grown wines produced within a capital city anywhere in the world. Established in 1844 on the outskirts of Adelaide, the vineyard and winery remain central to Penfolds’ heritage, producing a distinctly elegant Shiraz that combines history, terroir, and modern precision.
Vineyard
The Magill Estate vineyard lies on the lower slopes of Adelaide’s foothills, planted on red-brown clay loam over shale and quartz. Dry-grown and hand-tended, these vines yield small, intensely flavoured berries that form the backbone of this single-site Shiraz. Maturation typically occurs in a mix of new French and American oak, balancing fruit purity with savoury complexity.
Vintage
1986 was an exceptional year across South Australia, producing deeply coloured, balanced, and powerful reds that continue to age gracefully today. For Magill Estate, this vintage is considered one of the finest of the 1980s—combining richness and freshness with superb structural integrity.
Tasting Notes
Now fully mature, the 1986 Magill Estate Shiraz shows deep garnet colour with brick-red edges. The bouquet is complex and expressive, offering aromas of black cherry, plum, cedar, leather, and spice, alongside subtle notes of mocha and earth. The palate is medium-bodied and savoury, with soft tannins framing flavours of dried blackberry, dark chocolate, and tobacco leaf. The finish is long, balanced, and elegant—displaying the seamless harmony that defines the best mature vintages of Magill Estate.
Critics’ Acclaim
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95 points – Jeremy Oliver
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94 points – James Halliday
Celebrated for its grace, longevity, and classic structure, the 1986 vintage is a benchmark for the Magill Estate Shiraz.
Technical Information
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Region: Magill Estate, Adelaide, South Australia
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Variety: 100% Shiraz
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Alcohol: ~13.5%
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Maturation: French and American oak (approx. 18 months)
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Closure: Cork
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Drinking Window: 1995–2030+
A Collectible Gem
The 1986 Penfolds Magill Estate Shiraz is a rare and distinguished expression from Penfolds’ historic vineyard. With nearly four decades of evolution, it offers remarkable depth, elegance, and the savoury complexity of a truly great vintage—an essential addition for serious Penfolds collectors.
