Penfolds : Penfolds II 2019

An Australian wine from a unique encounter between two hemispheres

The estate

Voted New World Winery of the Year in 2013 by the prestigious Wine Enthusiast magazine, Penfolds had already established itself as an emblem of Australia's great wines thanks to the unparalleled determination of Mary Penfold in the 19th century. This co-founder of Penfolds Winery devoted herself body and soul to making exceptional wines. Her life's work is reflected in the estate's success in establishing itself as a benchmark for Southern Australian wines. 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 conquer wine lovers around the world.

The wine

Penfolds II is a project initiated in 2013 between Penfolds and Dourthe, a company specialising in the production of Bordeaux wines since 1840. With shared values and a strong relationship since their meeting at Vinexpo Bordeaux in 2013, Penfolds and Dourthe have the desire to create the first Franco-Australian "Wine of the World". The name "II" refers to the symbiosis between two winemakers, two philosophies and two grape varieties producing a rare and singular wine. Penfolds II marks the meeting, around the 2019 vintage, between two hemispheres: Bordeaux Cabernet Franc has been blended in the Penfolds cellars with a meticulous selection of Syrahs from the Australian estate’s finest plots.

The vintage

The characteristics of the Bordeaux vintage: the initially cold winter temperatures warmed up until March, which resulted in budburst two weeks before the 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, periods of heatwave started, but thanks to the plant cover, the vines suffered less. The rains did not appear until September, and the fruit was able to ripen in the best climatic conditions. The grapes were harvested in optimal conditions.

The characteristics of the South Australian vintage: the winter was dry. Fortunately, spring temperatures were cool with only moderate rainfall, resulting in isolated frosts. The hot summer delayed the veraison, with the Barossa Valley recording a month of temperatures above 35 degrees.
Fortunately, with the Southern Ocean not far away, the heat was moderate in the south-eastern districts. The harvest was healthy but with lower than average yields. The Shiraz showed very good colour, firm tannin profiles and intense scents.

Blend

Cabernet Franc (71%)
Syrah (29%).

Characteristics and tasting tips for Penfolds II from Penfolds 

Tasting

Colour
This wine has a shining, purple colour.

Nose
The nose of Penfolds II stands out with its originality. A beautiful freshness accompanies scents of liquorice and oriental spices. Organic burnt notes such as smoke are revealed, with scents of dried fruit combining to form a unique fragrance.

Palate
This wine is complex, balanced and generous. Graphite notes dominate, mingling with spices and licorice touches. The structure is generous and the tannins velvety. The acidity gives character, while the finish concludes with a frank minerality.

Food and wine pairing

Mature meats pair perfectly with this original Australian Penfolds wine.

To serve

For the best tasting, serve between 16 and 18 degrees.

Storage

Penfolds II from Penfolds and Dourthe can be laid down for between 10 and 15 years, until 2038.