Penley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019

A stunning Australian Cabernet– that’s right, Australian! Producers in this region often don’t get the credit they deserve because of the number of budget bottles exported from the area, but there are some incredible wines being made in Australia these days. This cabernet is one of the bolder reds we’ve featured since starting the Wine Club– a perfect pairing for beef, lamb, or next week’s Globetrotting dinner, Turkish Roast Chicken or Chickpeas.

Penley Estate is located in the center of Australia's most famous Cabernet region: Coonawarra. Continuing a family tradition that spans five generations, the winery was established in 1988 when the Tolley children continued the winemaking heritage of their industry-pioneering families. Coonawarra is known for its unique terra rossa soils – a thin band of vivid red earth overlaying soft limestone that runs nine miles long by one and a half miles wide. Soils and climate alike are ideal for viticulture: mineral rich and free draining earth meets with cold winters and a long, cool ripening season, allowing the grapes to slowly develop flavor and tannin ripeness. Small batches are fermented by site and clone, in a combination of temperature controlled tanks and French oak barriques. Traditional heading down boards are employed for greater tannin and color extraction, resulting in the region’s characteristic fine, dusty tannin profile. Penley Estate’s wines offer balance, complexity, minerality and wonderful longevity; but above all else, a tangible encounter with Coonawarra.