Penfolds RWT 2001

[beef]

Question: a friend and I have a regular wine dinner arrangement, where we endeavour to sample some fine wines. We recently went halves in an order for 3 cases from Kemeny's, taking advantage of their $39.99 RWT offer. That leaves us with a bottle of RWT each, and one to share sometime in the near future. My questions are: will the RWT even be enjoyable at this young stage of its life? Am I mad to even consider drinking it? And will it benefit from a long time in the decanter before consumption?

Thanks heaps everyone,

Stuart

[TORB]

A criminal waste at this stage of its life!

[mphatic]

My questions are: will the RWT even be enjoyable at this young stage of its life?

very - it is such a gorgeous and classy shiraz. however...

Am I mad to even consider drinking it?

yes. it should get even better.

And will it benefit from a long time in the decanter before consumption?

probably. however I have no experience in decanting this vintage of this wine.

[Jakob]

You'll get a good smacking of ripe but not close to over ripe fruit, and lemony french oak. There's already great, great depth of flavour, but complexity is justifiably lacking a little as pretty closed in it's youth. Why not try one now, but with a high-marble steak or something similarly complementary? ...and report back If you do, give it at least 2 hours in a decanter, though maybe sample a little right away to see how it changes as it opens.

[Rob]

Tasted RWT 2001 last year when it was released. Very big wine. It is drinkable now, but if you can wait a few more years, you will be rewarded.

here is my note:
A very musclular wine but not as round and powerful as the 707. The palate is spicy with hint of cigar and tobacco. The tannin is fine and silky. A nice wine to drink now, but will hold for many years. This wine is second behind the Bin 707