Country: U.S.A.

Region: Napa Valley

Vintage: 2018

Cépage: Cabernet Sauvignon (78%); Syrah (22%)

Size: 750 ml

Rating(s): 90 (RP); 93 (JS)

" This 2018 Bin 600 is the first release of this new Penfolds California label. It is a blend of two different regions and two different varieties: 78% Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley and 22% Shiraz from their vineyards in the Camatta Hills area of California Central Coast (about 15 miles east of Paso Robles). The interesting twist to the story behind this wine is that Block 10 in the Camatta Hills vineyard was planted in the late 1990s with Shiraz cuttings from two of Penfolds's most iconic South Australia vineyards: Magill Estate and Kalimna vineyard. This is the Shiraz component. "So," Peter Gago told me, "this has been a project in the making for a long time. We see this project as a continuation—making wine through a Penfolds lens, but made in California." Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant notes of stewed plums, black cherry preserves and blueberry pie plus suggestions of kirsch, spice cake, licorice and dried mint. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a nice chewiness to the texture and just enough freshness supporting the black fruit preserves, finishing on a savory note."

Lisa Perrotti-Brown (RP) - 02/21