Penfolds French Winemaking Trial 585 2019

An Australian wine developed from Bordeaux grapes

The estate

Voted New World Winery of the Year in 2013 by the prestigious Wine Enthusiast magazine, Penfolds had already established itself as an icon of Australia's great wines thanks to the unparalleled determination of Mary Penfold in the 19th century. Certainly the co-founder of Penfolds devoted herself body and soul to making exceptional wines. Her life's work is reflected in the winery's success in establishing itself as a benchmark in Southern Australia. When Max Schubert joined the Penfolds venture in the 1950s, he brought to the estate's wines the elegance of the great Bordeaux wines that so fascinated him. Success was not long in coming when the cellar master signed his famous Grange cuvée, which crossed Australian borders to win the hearts of wine lovers around the world.

The wine

Penfolds II is a project launched in 2013 between Penfolds and Dourthe, a house that has since 1840 specialised in the production of Bordeaux wines. With shared values and having created a strong relationship when they met at Vinexpo Bordeaux in 2013, Penfolds and Dourthe have the goal to create the first Franco-Australian "Wine of the World." Penfolds FWT (French Winemaking Trial) 585 comes from exceptional vineyards in the Médoc region, vinified using Penfolds' traditional techniques. The House style is marked by a philosophy of grape selection and quality wine blending. "Wine of the World" represents the beginning of a new chapter for Penfolds in France. Penfolds FWT 585 represents the meeting, around the 2019 vintage, between two hemispheres. The Médoc grape varieties Cabernet, Merlot and Petit Verdot have been made into wine under exacting method in the Penfolds cellars.

The vintage

The Medoc's initially cold winter temperatures warmed up by March, resulting in budburst two weeks earlier than average. The vines had difficulty developing because of the recurrent temperature variations until June. May was stable and dry, allowing flowering to take place without any problems. At the end of June, heatwaves began, but thanks to the plant cover, the vines did not fare too badly. The rains did not appear until September, and the fruit was able to ripen in the best temperatures. The grapes were harvested in ideal conditions.

Blend

53% Cabernet Sauvignon
34% Merlot
13% Petit Verdot

Characteristics and tasting tips for Penfolds FWT 585 from Penfolds

Tasting

Colour
This wine has a dark garnet colour.

Nose
Scents of red fruit as well as herbs like sage are released, along with floral violet notes.

Palate
The palate is firm, supple and round at the same time. Dessert notes like crème brûlée and vanilla take over this Australian wine. Scents of ginger and candied fruit as well as a leather and mineral side confirm the complexity of this wine. The tannins and lovely acidity are balanced.

Food and wine pairing

Charcuterie like salt beef is an ideal accompaniment to this wine.

To serve

For the best tasting, serve between 16 and 18°C.

Storage

Penfolds FWT 585 can be tasted until 2037.