The 2021 RWT is Barossa power with polish — a bold, full-bodied Shiraz that’s all about richness, structure, and finesse. Loaded with plush blueberry and black cherry fruit, it’s laced with layers of meat, spice, and dark chocolate, and wrapped in fine French oak. The tannins are silky but firm, giving it serious aging potential. This is pure Barossa Valley, delivered with precision and opulence — one of the standouts of the vintage.

Jamessuckling.com | JS 97
Published: Dec 4, 2023

A powerful, extremely exciting wine, framed by an almost impenetrable cladding of oak. And yet the density of the fruit is undeniable, defined by a piercing core of blueberry and kirsch, doused with iodine, beef brisket, anise and a savory sassafras note. There is much, much more sitting in the cradle of youthful inscrutability. Big and bolshy, forcing its way long by virtue of tenacity of extract and quality of tannins. The sort of tannins that roll through the mouth, eking a journey across every crevice. Really fine tannins. An accomplishment born of an exceptional vintage, quality material and wonderful management. This will age exceptionally well and strikes me as among the very top wines of this new swag of releases.

The Wine Advocate | RP 95
Published: Jul 20, 2023
Drink: 2023-2051

The 2021 RWT Bin 798 is layered with wheat-y/biscuity oak on the nose with blackberry compote, black earth, black olive tapenade ... black, black, black. Tannic and muscular in the mouth and so much of everything: fruit, oak and tannin. A dense wine of monstrous proportions, those who love this gritty, hedonistic style will be incandescent with pleasure. Positively glowing. This 2021 RWT is like the heart and soul of the RWT style. Barossa, Barossa, Barossa. Big! Matured for 14 months in French oak (80% new). 

Decanter | D 94
Published: Jun 27, 2023
Drink: 2025-2055

Barossa Valley grapes selected for their regional character, lifted aromas, fine tannins and plush texture comprise this cuvée, which began as a Red Winemaking Trial (RWT) project in the early 1990s and first released in 2000 with the 1997 vintage. It's always an impressively generous and bold-fruited style, showcasing the Barossa's characteristic opulent black and purple berry fruit, dark espresso-like earthiness and chocolatey-smooth tannins, but in this stellar vintage there pops of cured meat and black olive along with violet florals and sweet sesame paste. The 14 months in French oak hogsheads, 80% new, is supporting not intrusive and it is already pretty complete. 
Closure: Cork
Alcohol: 14.50%
Body: Full
Oak: Oaked
Grapes: 100% Syrah / Shiraz

Jancisrobinson.com | JR 17.5
Published: Jun 27, 2023
Drink: 2024-2042

Winter rainfall was 20% below the long-term average but a wetter-than-average August contributed to soil moisture for the commencement of the growing season. The temperatures from January to March were similar to the long-term average and conditions were mild over harvest. Aged for 14 months in French oak hogsheads (80% new, 20% one year old). TA 6.5 g/l, pH 3.69.
Very dark. Some subtlety on the nose and palate with an almost Italian tanginess to it. Real energy here. We’re tasting fruit rather than winemaking! Real depth and raciness. Yes! 

Penfolds.com

RWT Barossa Valley Shiraz presents an admirable alternative to the multi-regional sourcing and American oak maturation that are hallmarks of Grange, expressing instead, single region Barossa Valley shiraz matured only in French oak. The initials RWT stand for Red Winemaking Trial, the name given to the project internally when developmental work began in 1995. Naturally, now no longer a 'Trial', RWT Shiraz was launched in May 2000 with the 1997 vintage. Its style is opulent and fleshy, contrasting with Grange, which is more muscular and assertive. RWT is made from fruit primarily selected for its aromatic qualities and lush texture. The result is a wine that helps to redefine Barossa shiraz at the highest quality level. 

GRAPE VARIETY: Shiraz
VINEYARD REGION: Barossa Valley
WINE ANALYSIS: Alc/Vol: 14.5%, Acidity: 6.9 g/L, pH: 3.58
MATURATION: 15 months in French oak hogsheads (70% new and 30% 1-y.o.)

VINTAGE CONDITIONS
Winter and spring rainfall were above the long-term average providing the vines with optimal soil moisture profiles. Most of the spring rain fell during September, with long-standing rainfall records broken. Windy conditions in October helped dry out the vineyards and ensured there were no significant frost events.
November was cool with only a couple of minor frosts.
The recorded temperatures over the growing season were generally cool, with only March above the long-term average, the second hottest recorded in 30 years. The prevailing cool conditions extended the growing season with flowering and veraison, both later than usual. Across the Barossa Valley, the shiraz berry and bunch weights were above average with optimal flavour and bright, vibrant colour.

COLOUR: Deep crimson/ferrous red
NOSE: Vibrant. Red earth / Barossa dirt regional cues not hindered by a 15-month sojourn in French oak.
Initially, a lift of trademark tar/bitumen and subtle V.A. ... above scents of assorted carpaccio meats, steak tartare, green olive, capers, rosemary.
Upon sitting/swirling, patisserie scents of almond croissant, cinnamon bun ... and perhaps creme brulee glaze (oak-derived?). To repeat, very Barossa!
PALATE: A firm and binding structure, medium-bodied. Focussed/defined, yet still generous.
Mouth-watering acidity clutching opulent fruits renders an impressive pathway cleaved across front/middle/back palate ... a pathway all ably assisted by chalky tannins and absorbed integrated oak. Currently youthful and energetic, yet this vintage already impatiently awaits its secondary and tertiary maturation phases.