Kevin's comments: This is a smooth, complex wine with soft tannins and a considerable elegance. Selected from the best soils in the vineyards, only premium parcels of each variety become "Specialized" and this wine is, therefore, only made in small quantities.

PENNY’S HILL VINEYARD
SPECIALIZIED SHIRAZ CABERNET MERLOT

Established by Susie and Tony Parkinson in 1988, with the purchase of 32 hectares of grazing land on the foothills east of McLaren Vale, Penny’s Hill Vineyard  was named after the hill at the base of which it is located.  The land was declared ideal for the cultivation of Shiraz and the first vines were planted in 1991.  Additional vineyards have since been purchased near Willunga in an area originally known as Bay of Biscay.

Penny’s Hill first appeared in packaged form when the “red dot” graced a small batch of 1995 Shiraz – only 141 cases were released in May 1997.  The red dot idea occurred as the result of looking at paintings in commercial art galleries.  It was apparent that works sold could be easily and immediately identified upon entering a gallery.  It was the visual power of the little red dot that is still very much a feature of Penny’s Hill.

Only the best parcels of each variety become “Specialized” and Penny’s Hill has decided that this wine will only ever be made in small quantities.  Only 650 dozen of the 2000 vintage were produced.

Whilst McLaren Vale is noted for consistent climatic conditions, the slightly higher elevation of Penny’s Hill vineyard reduces temperature extremes in Summer making for a superior site-climate which in turn contributes to even ripening and higher fruit quality.

PENNY’S HILL McLAREN VALE “ SPECIALIZED” SHIRAZ/CABERNET/MERLOT

The Vineyard: The slightly cooler, narrow planted Penny’s Hill vineyard on loamy soil provides low yields of consistently high quality Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Merlot is grown on more conventional plantings predominantly Bay of Biscay soils at their Goss Corner Vineyard south of McLaren Vale on the road to Willunga.
  
Grapes: 100% Estate grown Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes blended in approximately equal proportions

Note: This is a smooth, complex wine with soft tannins and a considerable elegance.  The Shiraz contributes ripe fruit and spice characters, which is in turn balanced by the lean, fine tannin structure of the Cabernet Sauvignon.  The addition of soft, velvety and fleshy Merlot completes the blend.  A significant percentage of the wine was fermented in new oak, the balance finished fermentation in 10% American and 40% French oak (40% new wood, the balance, one and two year old) and was matured for 18 months before release.

Taste: The wine shows spice, sweet fruit and sweetmeats with dark briary Shiraz fruit.  The Merlot adds a caramel sweetness to this wine.  A smooth, complex wine with soft tannins and considerable elegance.