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The introduction of Chinese Winemaking Trial 521 (CWT 521) embodies the Penfolds spirit of trial and experimentation, continuing a naming tradition and philosophy pioneered by Yattarna Bin 144 and RWT Bin 798, also known as Red Winemaking Trial. “As a trial wine, the numerals 5-2-1 refer to the sourcing of the wine from “five” geographical areas (four from the Yunnan region and one from the Ningxia region) and the first commercial vintage of this trial wine – “21”. Adhering to Penfolds time-honoured and distinctive House Style, this Chinese Winemaking Trial combines the essence of cabernet sauvignon from the Shangri-La region and marselan from Ningxia. Shangri-La is in the Yunnan province, one of the most beautiful locations in China. The high altitude of the mountainside vineyards makes ideal cool, dry conditions for ripening cabernet sauvignon. Ningxia is a province in north-central China and has been at the forefront of modern Chinese winemaking since 1982. The region benefits from the proximity of the Yellow River and a south-north ridge called Helan Mountain which protects Ningxia from extreme weather from the west. This multi-regional blend was crafted using traditional Penfolds winemaking techniques. Meticulous attention to detail was applied to fruit selection, fermentation management and post-vintage classification. The Ningxia marselan and Shangri-la cabernet sauvignon components were blended to complete maturation in French oak.
种类
Cabernet Sauvignon Marselan
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Cabernet Sauvignon Marselan |
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年份
2021
|
2021 |
容量
750 mL
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750 mL |
Closure
Cork
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Cork |
最佳品鉴期
2024 - 2029
|
2024 - 2029 |
The introduction of Chinese Winemaking Trial 521 (CWT 521) embodies the Penfolds spirit of trial and experimentation, continuing a naming tradition and philosophy pioneered by Yattarna Bin 144 and RWT Bin 798, also known as Red Winemaking Trial. “As a trial wine, the numerals 5-2-1 refer to the sourcing of the wine from “five” geographical areas (four from the Yunnan region and one from the Ningxia region) and the first commercial vintage of this trial wine – “21”. Adhering to Penfolds time-honoured and distinctive House Style, this Chinese Winemaking Trial combines the essence of cabernet sauvignon from the Shangri-La region and marselan from Ningxia. Shangri-La is in the Yunnan province, one of the most beautiful locations in China. The high altitude of the mountainside vineyards makes ideal cool, dry conditions for ripening cabernet sauvignon. Ningxia is a province in north-central China and has been at the forefront of modern Chinese winemaking since 1982. The region benefits from the proximity of the Yellow River and a south-north ridge called Helan Mountain which protects Ningxia from extreme weather from the west. This multi-regional blend was crafted using traditional Penfolds winemaking techniques. Meticulous attention to detail was applied to fruit selection, fermentation management and post-vintage classification. The Ningxia marselan and Shangri-la cabernet sauvignon components were blended to complete maturation in French oak.
This is the inaugural release of Penfolds’s first Chinese wine which, in Penfolds tradition but unusual for China, is a cross-regional blend, in this case, sourcing fruit from the provinces of both Yunnan and Ningxia. In fact, the "5" of "521" alludes to five specific regions of origin (four from Yunnan and one from Ningxia) that compose this intriguing blend, and the "21" notes 2021 as the first vintage. "CWT" echoes the "RWT" or "Red Winemaking Trial" of Barossa fame.
The 2021 CWT 521 Cabernet Sauvignon Marselan is 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Marselan, with the Cabernet component deriving from high-altitude villages in Shangri-La, including Sinong, Xidang, Mingyong and Dongshui, and the Marselan being sourced from Helan Shan’s Qingtongxia subregion. It has a relatively deep ruby appearance. On the nose, there is already open and lifted cassis, bramble and black cherry fruit, with sweet herbaceousness (mint) from the Cabernet and a hint of blueberry, damson and violet from the Marselan. The bright primary fruit is overlaid with some vanilla and clove-scented new oak (also showing toast), the wine having seen some 12 months in 92% new French oak barriques. This possibly has slightly more new oak than Matt Woo and his winemaking team wanted to use, where there was a little less for choice in terms of winemaking facilities. But the oak coheres well. On the palate, it is full-bodied, with relatively well-integrated 15% alcohol, angular but also rounded tannins, some supporting acidity and a decent core of ripe dark fruit with that relatively harmonious new-oak component. The pH is 3.65 here, with most likely the Marselan component needing adjustment (whereas the majority of Shangri-La Cabernet naturally comes in around 3.4 pH).
What impressed me for an initial outing for this wine is the fruit selection that must have occurred to manage pyrazine so well and how the sometimes chunky, upfront tannins of Marselan have been nicely blended here with the Cabernet. If Matt Woo had arguably less choice with new oak in this vintage, he did confirm access to the rest of his Penfolds winemaking kit when we first tasted this wine in Beijing in Sept 2023, including the tannin additions that have helped. With its moderate to longer length, this is an impressive first effort that is drinking well now but will also develop well in bottle over the next 5 or so years.
Cherry red core with garnet edges.
Youthful exuberance, a wine that will undoubtedly benefit from a decant or at the least a generous swirl. Expectedly so, an altogether different aromatic profile being introduced into the Penfolds portfolio. Red fruits, wrapped within a subtle oak “case”.. First noted, cranberry and boysenberry. Energetic, alluring and full of intrigue. This is a slightly leafy note, reminiscent of just-picked peppery mustard greens and dried bay leaf. Subtle background scents of pickled cherries, dark chocolate, rosemary. Is this the emergence of regional artefact? Time will tell.
Linear, defined, grainy in texture. Sweet and savoury flavours vie for attention, with call outs of Jamón Ibérico, blueberries straight from the punnet, fresh plum and blackcurrant. The mid-palate has lovely mouthwatering succulence, a mouthwatering “binding” acidity. Hoisin sauce and a meaty nuance. Ripe tannins evoke thoughts of cocoa dust, yet belying the wine’s textural sleekness/tautness. The acidity is fine and focuses the palate. Subsequent vintages will confirm whether these elements are evidence of varietal character, or regional personality.
Ningxia enjoyed a warmer than average growing season, particularly in August and September. There was no significant rainfall during spring or summer. Conditions stayed warm during the autumn harvest and winter arrived late, allowing grapes to reach optimum ripeness on the vine. The vineyards in Yunnan’s Shangri-la region range in altitude from 2,200 in the Rongzohng village to 2,300 meters in the Sinong village vineyard. The cool, dry conditions over the growing season enabled the cabernet sauvignon grape to ripen gradually, expressing the nuance of this unique terroir.
GRAPE VARIETY
Cabernet Sauvignon (82%), Marselan (18%)
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Cabernet Sauvignon (82%), Marselan (18%) |
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VINEYARD REGION
Shangri-La, Ningxia
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Shangri-La, Ningxia |
葡萄酒分析
酒精浓度: 15%, pH: 3.65, Acidity: 6.2g/L
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酒精浓度: 15%, pH: 3.65, Acidity: 6.2g/L |
MATURATION
12 months in French oak barriques (95% new)
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12 months in French oak barriques (95% new) |