Penfolds Magill Estate Shiraz is one of Australia’s most historic and distinctive single-vineyard wines. Produced at the original Magill Estate on the outskirts of Adelaide—where Penfolds was founded in 1844—it represents a seamless union of heritage, terroir, and meticulous craftsmanship. The wine showcases the unique character of the estate’s old-vine Shiraz, combining intensity and structure with the elegance of French oak maturation.
Vineyard
The Magill Estate vineyard is located on the eastern edge of Adelaide, planted on red-brown clay loam over shale and quartz. These dry-grown, low-yielding vines produce fruit of great concentration and savoury depth. The 1998 vintage was handpicked, fermented in open-top fermenters at the historic Magill winery, and matured for 14 months in a mix of new French and American oak, allowing both fruit purity and oak complexity to integrate harmoniously.
Vintage
1998 is regarded as one of the greatest vintages in Australian wine history. A warm and dry growing season in South Australia led to small, intensely flavoured berries with perfect ripeness. For Magill Estate, it produced a Shiraz of remarkable power, richness, and structure—combining opulence with the hallmark balance that defines this estate.
Tasting Notes
The 1998 Magill Estate Shiraz shows a deep crimson-black hue with a garnet rim. The nose is rich and complex, featuring aromas of blackberry, plum, mocha, cedar, and exotic spice, underpinned by subtle hints of leather and earth. The palate is full-bodied and layered, offering concentrated black fruit, espresso, and dark chocolate framed by polished tannins. The oak is beautifully integrated, contributing to a long, savoury finish. Now in peak maturity, this vintage displays both power and refinement in perfect harmony.
Critics’ Acclaim
-
96 points – James Halliday
-
95 points – Jeremy Oliver
-
94 points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Universally acclaimed as one of the finest Magill Estate releases of the 1990s, admired for its depth, balance, and longevity.
Technical Information
-
Region: Magill Estate, Adelaide, South Australia
-
Variety: 100% Shiraz
-
Alcohol: ~14%
-
Maturation: 14 months in French (60%) and American oak (40%) hogsheads, 60% new
-
Closure: Cork
-
Drinking Window: 2008–2040+
A Collectible Gem
The 1998 Penfolds Magill Estate Shiraz is a benchmark vintage that captures the power of a great year and the precision of single-vineyard winemaking. Combining richness, structure, and polish, it remains one of the most collectible Magill Estate bottlings of the modern era—a superb reflection of Penfolds’ historic legacy.
