2021 Magill Estate Shiraz
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Tasting notes
The only single-vineyard wine in the Australian Collection (although the Oakville Napa Valley Cabernet is also a single-vineyard wine, from Block 13A on the Gamble Ranch), the 2021 Magill Estate Shiraz leads, as per usual, with lavender, bergamot (Earl Grey tea), milk chocolate, raspberry coulis and red licorice. The tannins have a good feeling in the mouth—chewy, full, ductile and fresh. There's something like nori, brine, red apple skins and something Japanese (togarashi?). It's a lovely wine. Gorgeous, in fact. Inky. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The composed 2021 single vineyard Shiraz, from Magill Estate - now located in the suburbs of Adelaide, offers up a complex, unique and elegant style of South Australia. Wafts of dried spices, sage, earth and aged meats offer a tempting start, with tar hints in the mix. It’s then relatively seamless with savory and spicy layers of flavors supported by a gentle seam of tannins through to a seductive finish. The 2021 is an earlier drinking vintage but hard not to love.
Overall, a very mild growing season with warm conditions throughout spring. Veraison was later than average and harvest took place in two parcels a week apart (older vine material 16 and 17 February, then newer plantings 23 and 24 February). Aged for 19 months in French oak (90% new) and American oak (10% new) hogsheads. TA 7.1 g/l, pH 3.76. The notes say ‘crafted the original way’ but surely way back they would not have had 90% new French oak? Blackish purple. Smells unlike the other wines in this stable and the texture is much rounder and saltier. Already a pleasure to drink for fans of the quintessential South Australian style. A wine that really does seem to cleanse the palate. (JR)
Wow! A sumptuous nose that is both luscious, floral, compact and of spicy restraint, reflective of a cooler, attenuated, Euro sort of ripening window. This drinks like a warmer vintage from the Northern Rhone, opening with violets before flecks of pepper grind, mace and clove come to the fore. A douse of camphor and smoked meats to the mid-palate. The feel, lithe and energetic; mid-weighted over obviously full and immensely satisfying. An exceptional Magill that sashays a little looser across its tannic seams than some of the other top bottlings. As a result, it is approachable now, although destined for a long life, if one is patient. Drink or hold.
About the producer
Penfolds is Australia’s most famous wine producer, known best for their iconic top wine, Grange. First produced commercially in 1952, Grange has since gone on to become one of the world’s most famous fine wines. In 2001, the wine was listed as an Australian heritage icon.