Penfolds
Reservations Closed
| Course | Pairing / Description | Wine |
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| Hors D'ouevres |
Crab cake with Citrus Aioli
Aussie Sausage Roll
Penfolds Max’s Chardonnay is a tribute to former Chief Winemaker, Max Schubert (1948-1975), a legend in Penfolds history. Max’s constant pursuit of excellence paved the way for those who followed in his footsteps and also allowed the status and heritage of Penfolds to grow. Max’s Chardonnay continues the evolution of the Penfolds white wine program, drawing inspiration from the legacy and spirit of Max’s many wine trials. Above-average winter and spring rainfall offered the vines in the Adelaide Hills healthy soil moisture profiles for the growing season. September rainfall was significantly above the long-term average for the region. Cool conditions slowed vine growth in early spring with temperatures eventually warming in October. A mild and mostly dry start to summer was followed by two significant rain events after Christmas. January was mild with few hot days and some unseasonal rain. Moving into March, mild weather continued to slow ripening with cool nights and warm days persisting until harvest. The 2017 is an excellent vintage for Max’s Chardonnay. Max’s Chardonnay is very pale straw in color, with a light green rim. Its nose is an amalgam of aromatics working in harmony - primarily yellow stone fruit (nectarine) and honeydew melon with soft pistachio nougat and enchantingly/unexpectedly from this white grape variety, blueberry bavarois! Barely recognizable savory French oak imparts a sensitive touch to sign off on a complex and appealing nose. On the palate, this wine has a soft and delicate mouth coating. Its laminated acidity fills out the palate and gently conveys the fermented spoils of Max’s Chardonnay. It shows more of a citrus edge, with lime splice and finger lime sweetness. It has enticing teacake sponge flavors, varietally laced with finely grated lemon zest. It is already ready, yet no need to hurry, this is a balanced and complete Chardonnay. |
Penfolds Max’s Chardonnay 2017
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| Seafood Course |
Shrimp, Heirloom Grits, Spiced Onion Chutney, and Wilted Kale
Bin 311 Chardonnay is sourced from a single, cool-climate (and some would say risky, marginal) region and each year the fruit selection is made to reflect the Bin 311 style. In 2014, fruit sourcing has again come from Tumbarumba - one of Australia’s most exciting, cool-climate, high-altitude, viticultural districts. Penfolds has worked with Chardonnay from Tumbarumba since the early 1990s. The Bin 311 style typically exhibits a mineral acid backbone, complimented by barrel fermentation and maturation in seasoned oak. Minimal filtration is employed, preserving elegant fruit flavors. A warmer winter and spring resulted in early budburst throughout the region of Tumbarumba, providing some cause for concern in a frost-prone region. These risks were carefully managed throughout vineyards sourced by Penfolds - in a region that was on alert. These vineyards proved fairly resilient, and frost impacts were minimal with only a small reduction in yields. A hot and dry January ensued, allowing for a small, but balanced crop to ripen with little to no disease pressure. Early autumn proved to be cool and wet, impacting harvest in many adjoining regions. Fortunately Chardonnay fruit for Bin 311 was harvested prior to this. The Bin 311 Chardonnay is very light straw in color. Time on yeast lees and regular stirring has delivered a Bin 311 of great aromatic complexity. It has biscuity, brioche amid scents of roasted nuts - hazelnut, macadamia as well as elements of sea spray with honeydew and guava fruits. On the palate, a leesy complexity, quite biscuit - maybe shortbread? At the same time, this wine manifests an understated elegance, adorned with lemon curd/citrus. A balanced chalky acid structure courts a classic tapered finish. Stylistically, no new oak is required. |
Penfolds Bin 311 Chardonnay Tumbarumba 2014
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| Chip Wine |
This very special wine will be offered only as an add-on "chip wine" for an additional $15 per pour. If you are interested, arrange to purchase your chip upon signing in at the dinner. Bin 389 is often referred to as ‘Baby Grange’, in part because components of the wine are matured in the same barrels that held the previous vintage of Grange. First made in 1960, by the legendary Max Schubert, this was the wine that helped to forge Penfolds solid reputation with red wine drinkers combining the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon with the richness of Shiraz. Bin 389 also exemplifies the judicious balance of fruit and oak. 51% Cabernet Sauvignon and 49% Shiraz multi-regional blend from Barossa Valley, Coonawarra, McLaren Vale, Padthaway and Wrattonbully, this wine spends 12 months in American oak hogsheads (37% new). The nose presents with dark berry fruits consistent to both varietal persuasions, (cabernet and shiraz), overtly courted by elements of ponzu, soy, sesame and dried shiitake mushroom. The wine presents in the palate with flavors and textures akin to marbled Kobe beef and an earthy accompaniment of black licorice root and anise. Structurally bold with little protruding – integrated, fine … and has comfortably already “settled into place”. ‘Appetizing’ acidity – a non-intrusive and refreshing granita-like bite. Assam tea maltiness and tannins merge with impressions of wet slate, pencil lead/graphite … no doubt somehow linked to earlier partial barrel fermentation and oak maturation. Needs time, as per most Bin 389’s at release. Perhaps a little longer for this vintage? Our recommendation – your choice. Rated 96 Points - Campbell Mattinson; 96 Points - Huon Hooke; 95 Points - Andrew Caillard MW; 95 Points - Tyson Stelzer; 94 Points - Anthony Rose, Decanter. |
Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Bin 389 South Australia 2016
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| Salad Course |
Baby Greens with Australian Classic Meat Pie, Pickled Ginger (Drizzle with Shiraz/Cabernet reduction)
Penfolds Max’s Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon is a tribute to former Chief Winemaker Max Schubert (1948-1975), a legend in Penfolds history. Max’s constant pursuit of excellence paved the way for those who followed in his footsteps and also allowed the status and heritage of Penfolds to grow. A contemporary offering of South Australian Shiraz (Syrah) blend, this release provides a fruit-driven wine which is generous in flavor and persistent across the palate. Autumn and winter rainfall was above the long-term average. Rain stopped abruptly in early August with only light showers observed throughout spring. Low top soil moisture halted canopy growth early in the season giving vines an open canopy. A significant rainfall event in early January was a defining moment, giving the vines a much needed boost during veraison. February brought weekend heat spikes, pushing mean maximum temperatures well above the average resulting in early ripening and harvest. Max’s Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon is dark red in color. Its nose has red fruits with mixed spice, cinnamon and nutmeg, Christmas spice, as well as a cooler fruit spectrum with pepper and roasted capsicum. Its palate is red berry, blueberry, with summer pudding and cherry. Oak in the background adds layers of flavor and texture, encased with fine powdery tannins. |
Penfolds Max’s Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Max’s South Australia 2015
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| Beef Course |
Beef Tenderloin, Cipollini Onions, Gratin Potatoes, Asparagus Confit in Truffle Oil
Bin 28 offers a showcase of warm climate Australian shiraz - ripe, robust and generously flavored. First made in 1959, Bin 28 is named after the famous Barossa Valley Kalimna vineyard, purchased by Penfolds in 1945 and from which the wine was originally sourced. Today, Bin 28 is a multi-region, multi-vineyard blend, with the Barossa Valley always well represented. All of the major growing regions in South Australia experienced ideal conditions leading into the harvest of 2016. Overall, the season started off cool and dry, with low rainfall. Spring and early summer warmed up considerably resulting in an average growing season with little rainfall. A warm, dry spring was ideal for flowering and fruit-set. Warm conditions prevailed in the early part of the summer allowing vines to grow well with good bunch set. Milder conditions in January allowed optimal flavor development, with late rain refreshing the vines. Despite the challenges of a relatively dry season, ripening was even with smaller than average berries. Harvest commenced with shiraz showing great color and complex flavors. Bin 28 Shiraz is vibrant, dense plum red in color, with red edges. Its nose has a black Kalamata olive tapenade as a first impression, beneath an overlay of camphor and tobacco. It has boot polish, bitumen, cola, granite, a darkened style with varietal base notes, yet blackberry conserve and sour cherry fill the fruity treble register. Scents of cut straw/steel cut oats fill any aromatic chord gaps. Its palate is full-bodied and substantial. It is most closely associated with raw/rare venison and also has the welcome presence of chocolate torte and mocha flavors. It has a cloaked continuum of tannins that linger and reverberate with the discipline of a vinous pendulum. This wine finishes with a flourish of dusty graphite and balanced acidity. |
Penfolds Bin 28 Shiraz Kalimna South Australia 2016
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| Dessert Course |
Lamington Chocolate Cake with Cream Anglaise and Fresh Berries
Penfolds Max’s Cabernet Sauvignon is a tribute to former Chief Winemaker Max Schubert (1948-1975), a legend in Penfolds history. Max’s constant pursuit of excellence paved the way for those who followed in his footsteps and also allowed the status and heritage of Penfolds to grow. Max’s Cabernet Sauvignon displays the Penfolds “stamp” inspired by Max himself. Autumn and winter rainfall was above the long-term average. Rain stopped abruptly in early August with only light showers observed throughout spring. Low top soil moisture halted canopy growth early in the season giving vines an open canopy. A significant rainfall event in early January was a defining moment, giving the vines a much needed boost during veraison. February brought weekend heat spikes, pushing mean maximum temperatures well above the average resulting in early ripening and harvest. Max’s Cabernet Sauvignon is dark red in color with a magenta core. Its nose has red currants, cranberry and dried Italian herbs. Its palate is of a Cabernet line and length. It has red, blue and black fruits melded with sweet spiced cinnamon as well as vanilla chai and cedar oak. Fine silky tannins add savory balance and length to the palate. |
Penfolds Max’s Cabernet Sauvignon Max’s South Australia 2015
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