- Adelaide Metropolitan, SA - $80-$120
- Screwcap
- 14.5%alc
Penfolds' Magill Estate could claim to represent one of the most unique expressions of Australian terroir around. Sourced from a very old, single vineyard in Adelaide's sophisticated eastern suburbs, there isn't really another wine or regional neighbour to compare it against.
Ripe, meaty and rustic, the 2007 Magill Estate shows the tell-tale signs of its difficult season, yet remains evenly balanced throughout. Taking time to open, it slowly unravels a surprisingly bright nose of dark plum, soy, red licorice and white pepper aromas cloaked in a polished presence of nutty mocha/vanilla oak. Medium-full bodied and ably concentrated, its velvety palate packs a dark, rustic core of fleshy black plum and roast meat flavour, which lengthen underneath a grainy extract of dry, mouth-puckering tannins and clean acids. It finishes very long and firm, and although there are savoury elements of clove and cinnamon spice evident, there's also a hint of ultra-ripe, tart fruit.
O Penfolds' resources and experience with the vineyard have courted out a nice 2007 here, but it's still a little difficult to recommend at $100r.r.p. There's more than sufficient structure and balance to suggest it'll develop for some time yet, so I'd just sit and wait. Drink to 2022.
91 points
Haha I remember the last time I was holding a tasting for this wine, as well as St Henri, 707 etc, I was on detox!! It was very hard not to sample the wine but somehow I did it. Good drop.
ReplyDeletePoor you! Must've been a tough day! You've obviously got more will power than me. I don't think I could ever resist 707 in particular.
ReplyDeleteI recall being at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show last year, when myself and a man I'd just met found a fresh bottle of 2006 Bin 707. It was 12:50 and I had a lunch to attend at 12:30, but even after tasting over 100 wines earlier that day, we both helped ourselves to two, glorified glasses of 707 each. Good memory that one! :)
Hi Chris, a mate's wife has just had a baby boy and rather than get flowers etc I'd like to buy him a bottle of red wine that has a maturity date in 18 years. Happy to spend up to $100 - any recommendations? Regards Jon
ReplyDeleteHi Jon
ReplyDeleteNormally when buying bottles like you've just mentioned here, I like to purchase wines which have the same vintage date as the child's year of birth; the unfortunate thing being that there are essentially no 2010 wines currently available that would last 18 years (unless you were willing to go riesling or semillon). So if you wanted to go with the birth year (as I do), you'd realistically have to wait a year or two.
Having just said that, my wine of choice would have to be Clonakilla's Shiraz Viognier. The 2008 is probably sold out by now, but the 2009 should be released to the market very soon. There's a review of the 2008 under the Shiraz link under Wine Reviews in the sidebar of this website for interest, as well as a link to Clonakilla's website.
Clonakilla's name already gets thrown around with Grange and Hill of Grace when people discuss Australia's best wine, it's just that Clonakilla costs a fraction of the price. Clonakilla's reputation is also steadily growing, and I wouldn't be surprised if in 18 years, its reputation had surpassed that of the other two wines mentioned, at least on a quality basis.
Finally, although Clonakilla's track record with long term cellaring isn't quite equal to Grange's, Clonakilla's better wines tend to drink best around 15-20 years of age - perfect. I just hope 2009 is another good one (should be!)
Cheers for the question and hope I've been of some assistance.
CP
regarding benefiting from cellering,
ReplyDeletewhen would you recommend drinking the magill estate'07..?
2012 2014-15...?
and what would you expect to happen to the wine considering the notes you already experienced and based on what you already understand happens to wine like this?
M.
Martin,
ReplyDeleteAlthough drinking fair right now and fair enough to drink over the next few years (taking decanting into consideration) , if I had another bottle of Penfolds 2007 Magill Estate I wouldn't drink it until 2017. Although quite ripe, it is balanced, and has the structure typical of many 07s, so it should only improve with time. Like many Penfolds reds, I envision it getting more sensuously structured and savoury with time, which should meet nicely with its ultra-ripe, meaty nuances and concentrated textures, eventually. Ideally, like pieces falling into a puzzle. Here's hoping so Martin :)
Cheers,
Chris P