Penfolds RWT Shiraz

Penfolds RWT Shiraz is a 100% Barossa Valley Shiraz matured in French oak hogsheads, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Named for the "Red Winemaking Trial" that launched it in 1997, RWT earned the No. 9 spot on Wine Spectator's Top 100 of 2019 and has collected Gold medals from both the International Wine Challenge and Syrah du Monde.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Barossa Valley, South Australia  |  100% Shiraz  |  Producer: Penfolds

Production & Heritage

Penfolds, headquartered on Penfold Road in Magill, South Australia, has been one of Australia's most consequential wine producers for over 180 years. RWT was conceived as a deliberate counterpoint to the house's flagship Grange: where Grange draws fruit from multiple regions and relies on American oak, RWT sources exclusively from the Barossa Valley and matures for 14 months in French oak hogsheads — approximately 67% new. The result is a wine designed to be plush and fleshy rather than muscular, showcasing how French cooperage can frame Barossa Shiraz in a more refined, spice-driven style.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Concentrated blackberry and black plum anchor the nose, layered with licorice, bay leaf, and a thread of dark chocolate. Toasted spice from the French oak adds clove, cedar, and a trace of white pepper that builds with air.

Taste: The entry is rich and immediate — red and blue fruits including mulberries and red currants spread across the mid-palate with notable density. Chocolate undertones emerge alongside grape confection sweetness, while pink peppercorn spiciness provides counterbalance. The oak integration is seamless, lending structure without overwhelming the fruit core.

Finish: Long and sumptuously opulent, with mocha and fine-grained tannins carrying the close. Lingering licorice and dark berry notes slowly fade, leaving a persistent, savory spice impression.

How to Drink RWT Shiraz

RWT Shiraz is best served at 16–18°C (60–64°F) and benefits from 30 to 60 minutes of decanting before pouring, particularly in its youth. This is fundamentally a wine for the table — its concentration and layered tannin structure reward still, unhurried drinking alongside food rather than cocktail adaptation.

Best For

• Gifting a serious Australian wine collector or Penfolds enthusiast
• Anchoring a comparative Penfolds tasting alongside Grange and St Henri
• Pairing with a celebratory dinner featuring slow-cooked red meats
• Building a cellar with age-worthy Barossa Valley Shiraz

Frequently Asked Questions

What does RWT Shiraz taste like? RWT Shiraz is rich and concentrated, dominated by blackberry, black plum, and dark chocolate flavors with French oak–driven spices like clove, cedar, and pink peppercorn. The palate is plush and opulent with fine-grained tannins and a long mocha-tinged finish.

How does RWT Shiraz compare to Penfolds Grange? Grange is a multi-regional blend matured in American oak, producing a more muscular, assertive wine, while RWT sources solely from the Barossa Valley and uses French oak hogsheads for a plush, refined character. Both are flagship-tier Penfolds Shiraz expressions, but RWT deliberately favors elegance and spice over Grange's power and sweet oak influence.

Is RWT Shiraz good for cellaring? RWT Shiraz is built with the concentration, tannin structure, and acidity to reward extended cellaring, with many vintages drinking well over 15–20 years. Younger bottles benefit from decanting to open the dense fruit and oak layers.

Where is RWT Shiraz made? RWT Shiraz is produced by Penfolds in South Australia, using 100% Shiraz grapes sourced exclusively from the Barossa Valley, one of Australia's premier warm-climate wine regions northeast of Adelaide.

What foods pair well with RWT Shiraz? Slow-braised lamb shoulder complements the wine's dark fruit and spice weight. Pepper-crusted beef tenderloin mirrors its peppercorn notes. Aged cheddar or Comté amplifies the mocha and chocolate undertones. Smoked kangaroo or venison charcuterie pairs well with the concentrated berry character. Dark chocolate desserts echo the wine's cocoa-laced finish.

What sizes does RWT Shiraz come in? RWT Shiraz is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is RWT Shiraz worth the price? RWT Shiraz positions as a premium-to-ultra-premium expression within the Penfolds portfolio, sitting just below Grange in the house hierarchy. Its single-region sourcing, high proportion of new French oak, critical acclaim including a Wine Spectator Top 100 placement, and proven aging potential justify its standing among Australia's most respected Shiraz bottlings.

Why RWT Shiraz?

RWT began as an unnamed cellar experiment in the mid-1990s — a deliberate test of whether French oak could redefine Barossa Shiraz for Penfolds. The inaugural 1997 vintage proved it could, and the wine has since established itself as a critical fixture, earning Wine Spectator Top 100 recognition and Gold medals at the International Wine Challenge and Syrah du Monde. Its exclusive Barossa Valley sourcing and 14-month French oak maturation program produce a style that stands genuinely apart from both Grange and St Henri, giving it a distinct role in one of Australia's most storied wine lineups. For drinkers seeking the concentration and depth of top-tier Penfolds in a more refined, spice-forward frame, RWT remains the definitive expression.