Overview
A distinguished single-vineyard Shiraz intrinsically linked to the beginnings of Penfolds, Magill Estate is sourced from the original 5.2-hectare vineyard on the eastern edge of Adelaide. The fruit is crushed, fermented and matured on-site at the original Penfolds Magill Estate Winery, established in 1844. First produced in 1983, the wine combines an elegant, medium-weight profile with velvety texture, fine tannins and traditional open-fermenter and basket-press winemaking. The 2014 vintage earned 96 points from James Halliday.
Vineyard
The fruit was sourced entirely from the original 5.2-hectare Magill Estate vineyard, situated approximately eight kilometres from Adelaide’s CBD. The vineyard was hand-picked on 10 and 11 February 2014, immediately before the significant rainfall event on Valentine’s Day.
Vintage
Above-average winter rainfall replenished the vineyard soils and provided a strong start to the growing season. A slightly drier and warmer beginning to spring resulted in early budburst, while relatively cool flowering conditions encouraged even fruit set. Warm conditions through December and January supported concentrated flavour and colour development after veraison.
Winemaking
The fruit was hand-picked and vinified in open fermenters before being basket pressed to complete fermentation in barrel. The wine was matured for 18 months in French oak (67% new) and American oak hogsheads (33% new).
Producer Tasting Notes
COLOUR: Crimson throughout.
NOSE: Different… in an altogether appealing and alternative Shiraz sort of way! Fruits reconfigured - reappearing in a thinly-veiled guise of tomato paste, blood orange and cola. An aromatic offer transiently masquerading as a dried flower potpourri (violet and jonquils) - adding further intrigue (and more questions!). Oak revealed via a register of rosewood/sandalwood/cedar, with conspiring tanned leather and clove denying parentage.
PALATE: Succulent, fresh, lifted. A taste spool of sarsaparilla, citrus blood orange, cumquat, tangelo and persimmon. Yes, not simply ‘plummy’! Redcurranted, primarily red liquorice all-sorts flavours of yore, entwined by cucumber/cranberry-ish acidity and tamed tannins. An overlay of barrel-ferment and smokey char remind of matters Quercus harnessed beneath.
Critic Reviews
96 Points — James Halliday
“More powerful than most releases, and - in the manner of Grange - will need a decade for the fruit, oak and tannins to soften and mould together.”
Tasted 9 September 2016 | Drinking Window: To 2039
94 Points — Jeremy Oliver
Tasted January 2015 | Drinking Window: 2026–2034
93 Points — The Wine Front
Tasted October 2016
Awards
Silver Medal — The Global Syrah Masters
Awarded 2017
Specifications
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Vintage: 2014
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Producer: Penfolds
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Wine: Magill Estate Shiraz
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Grape Variety: 100% Shiraz
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Region: Magill Estate, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Vineyard: Original 5.2-hectare Magill Estate vineyard
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Harvest: Hand-picked 10–11 February 2014
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Fermentation: Open fermenters; fermentation completed in barrel
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Pressing: Basket pressed
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Maturation: 18 months in French oak (67% new) and American oak hogsheads (33% new)
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Alcohol: 14.5% ABV
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Acidity: 6.9 g/L
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pH: 3.52
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Drinking Window: 2018–2039
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Winemaker: Peter Gago
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Bottle Size: 750ml
