2018 Penfolds Superblend 802.B 750ml

One Superblend. Two Interpretations. Driven by curiosity and experimentation, Penfolds introduces two new wines crafted from parcels intended for their flagship collection. Carefully selected from the esteemed 2018 South Australian vintage, these wines offer distinct takes on the classic Australian blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. The 802.B blend consists of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Shiraz, married immediately post-vintage and matured for 19 months in French oak hogsheads. This wine promises to reward careful cellaring for decades and provides an intriguing contrast to its American oak counterpart. Critic tasting note: (2018 vintage) "802-B is the second of two new wines at Penfolds they describe as "Superblend." Both are cabernet sauvignon/shiraz mixes, a nod to the iconic Australian wine blend, but in this case, the B is aged in French oak hogsheads for 19 months, in the proportion of 54/46 cabernet sauvignon/shiraz. Make no mistake, all the fruit in the super =blends were grown from parcels in Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, Robe, and Clare Valley, destined for flagship Penfolds wines. 2018 in South Australia was a stellar year, and the B delivers across the board. The colour is opaque, the nose an appealing mix of aromatics and French oak with super bright blackberry, mulberry, blueberry flecked with spicy cardamom and chocolate. One giant of a wine that is all in balance and primed for a long life. (Anthony Gismondi)." - Gismondi on Wine