Penfolds Magill Estate Shiraz represents the heritage and heart of Penfolds winemaking. Produced from the original vineyard established in 1844 in the Adelaide foothills, this single-vineyard wine captures the essence of old-vine Shiraz in a uniquely urban setting. The Magill Estate bottling is known for its refined structure, savoury complexity, and balance—an elegant contrast to the power of Grange.
Vineyard
The Magill Estate vineyard sits just eight kilometres from Adelaide’s city centre on red-brown clay loam over shale and quartz. These dry-grown vines, hand-tended and low-yielding, produce fruit of great concentration and character. The wine is traditionally vinified at the estate’s historic winery and matured in a mix of new French and American oak, allowing the vineyard’s terroir to shine through.
Vintage
1991 was a superb vintage across South Australia and one of the great years of the decade for Penfolds reds. Warm, dry conditions throughout the growing season and a perfectly timed harvest produced fruit of exceptional ripeness and balance. The 1991 Magill Estate Shiraz is a beautifully structured and long-lived wine that continues to show freshness and finesse even after three decades.
Tasting Notes
The 1991 Magill Estate Shiraz displays a deep garnet core with subtle brick-red hues at the rim. The bouquet opens with blackberry, plum, and black olive, layered with cedar, leather, tobacco, and savoury spice. The palate is medium to full-bodied, elegant yet powerful, showing black fruit, mocha, and earthy nuances framed by fine-grained tannins. The oak integration is seamless, contributing to a silky texture and long, persistent finish. This is a classic, mature Magill Estate—harmonious, balanced, and deeply satisfying.
Critics’ Acclaim
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95 points – Jeremy Oliver
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94 points – James Halliday
Widely regarded as one of the standout vintages of the early 1990s, praised for its balance, length, and ageing potential.
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: 18 months in French and American oak (approx. 50% new)
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Closure: Cork
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Drinking Window: 2000–2035+
A Collectible Gem
The 1991 Penfolds Magill Estate Shiraz is a benchmark vintage that perfectly expresses the estate’s signature balance of elegance and intensity. With its fine tannins, savoury complexity, and graceful evolution, it remains a treasured collectible from one of Penfolds’ most historic and distinctive vineyards.
