Peter Gago, ac
FOREWORD
It s a truism that nothing stands still at Penfolds. It certainly hasn t across my 30+ year tenure. Nor prior. So, what could an eighth edition of this compendium offer that the earlier seven haven t? Let me assure you, plenty!
Edition 8 tastings confirm that there are no absolutes the stature of classic wines and vintages oscillate, cyclically ebb and flow; surprising, delighting and rarely disappointing. And since the last, many new vintages to ponder. Revealingly, after almost seven decades the 1952 Grange is no longer in the shadow of the legendary 1953 Grange. Ditto the majestic 1963 Grange over the stoic 1962. Who would have thought that a sprightly 30-year-old Bin 920 would so convincingly outshine the 1990 Bin 90A? At the moment there are no winners or losers, only relativities and preferences that morph over time.
After 175 years how can Penfolds remain dynamic and innovative? How can the wine styles of Penfolds remain compelling to the progeny of previous generations of devotees and collectors? New markets, new drinkers? One solution the wine. It s relatively easy to attract attention via the inspired tradition of ultra-rare Penfolds Special Bin releases, experimentation courtesy of the Cellar Reserve tier or back-to-the-future with sparkling wine (sorry Champagne!). And yet, as this edition will reaffirm, the heart and soul of Penfolds remains inextricably anchored to its Bins, right up to Bin 144 Yattarna Chardonnay and Bin 95 Grange as attested by the wisdom of an eminent global tasting panel and the unwavering pen of Andrew Caillard, MW.
Joyfully this book is not just an assessment of the recent and distant past. How exciting to taste and review Penfolds wine styles that didn t exist for prior editions Penfolds g3 and g4 immediately come to mind. A new Special Bin, 111A, dared to procure shiraz from two pedigreed Clare and Barossa Valley vineyards and and hold them captive in French oak. And what a proud moment to view the Penfolds stamp adorning the label of 2012 Thiénot x Penfolds Champagne
symbolically sitting alongside a half-bottle of 1912 Penfolds Minchinbury!
I have no doubt that Penfolds winemaking, viticulture and marketing teams will use this completely rewritten (and re-tasted) forensic update as both a style and ph losophical roadmap. So also, for lovers of Penfolds wines, I hope it is an indispensable reference. It s not hard to understand why so many collectors across the planet clamour to possess all seven editions of the ROP . Many will soon have eight!
I m confident that this edition will stimulate, challenge and inform. The Rewards of Patience journey continues, connecting Penfolds past to your present. And our future.
Peter Gago, AC Penfolds Chief Winemaker
September 2020
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