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The Australian winery Penfolds has expanded its luxury wine portfolio with two "super blends" of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. According to winemaker Peter Gago, the new wines bear the working names "802.A" and "802.B". Both are based on almost identical amounts of Cabernet and Shiraz, but the production and maturation are very different.
The Cuvée 802.A was matured for 22 months exclusively in 100% new American oak and will first be offered in Great Britain for around 520 British pounds (about 615 euros) per bottle. Gago matured the 802.B for 19 months, 54 per cent in new French barriques and 46 per cent in first-fill barrels.
Peter Gago also proceeded differently in the ageing process: The base wines of the 802.A were vinified separately, matured and only cuvéed before bottling. The 802.B, on the other hand, conforms to the Penfolds philosophy of "no guts, no glory'", Gago explained: "We blend first and then let them mature." Both wines are made from grapes sourced from leading terroirs in South Australia, including the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Clare Valley.
(uka / Photo: Penfolds)