1998 Penfolds RWT Bin 798 Shiraz 750ml

Critic tasting note: (1998 vintage) "A stunning second vintage that begs the question why hasn't this been done before. The RWT is an all-French oak shiraz but unlike the Bin 128 from Coonawarra, this is one hundred per cent Barossa. It's hardly a new concept in Barossa shiraz but it's a welcome diversion from Penfolds. The '98 RWT spends nearly 13 months in new French oak and is quite a bit bigger than its '97 prototype. Tasted twice and simply sensational. Intense coffee, blackberry jam, cedar, roasted pepper aromas and flavours with a big whack of smoky, bacon in the background. Long creamy vanilla, mid-palate flavour with cloves, jasmine and coffee mixed with ripe blackberry. Great finish that is smooth and round. (Anthony Gismondi and Stuart Tobe)." - 96/100, Gismondi on Wine