Big, bold, and unapologetically Penfolds, the 2018 Superblend 802.A mixes 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and 32% Shiraz, aged for nearly two years in 100% new American oak. It's packed with rich dark fruit, chocolate, vanilla, and spice, all wrapped in smooth yet powerful tannins. If you like your reds intense and oak-forward, this one's for you—though it’ll reward patience if you let it rest a few more years.

Jamessuckling.com | JS 95
Published: Jul 23, 2021

Very oak-forward style, showing rich red berries and chocolate, as well as vanilla, all vying for attention and turned up loud. There's boldness to the palate, too, with dark plums, blueberries and blackberries in abundance. A blend of 68% cabernet sauvignon and 32% shiraz that was blended after 22 months maturation in 100% new American-oak hogsheads. Give this time. Try from 2026. 

The Wine Advocate | RP 94+
Published: Jul 22, 2021
Drink: 2025-2040

A huge rush of cedar and vanilla greet the nose on opening, followed by waves of cassis and boysenberry fruit. The 2018 802.A Superblend is a mix of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and 32% Shiraz, all raised in 100% new American oak for 22 months and blended just prior to bottling. With components drawn from several of South Austrralia's premium growing regions (led by Barossa and McLaren Vale), this is a full-bodied, lush wine that finishes with driving tannins and a long, velvety finish, yet it doesn't seem as seamless or elegant as its 802.B counterpart. Perhaps it just needs more time? Tasted twice, with consistent notes.

Penfolds Chief Winemaker Peter Gago had a prior career as a math teacher, which no doubt has served him well during a pandemic filled with endless tastings in front of an inexpressive camera. He was in fine form when we connected via videoconference on July 1 for a quick run-through of the company's newest releases. Because of time constraints, we only tasted some of the wines "together," with me completing the rest of the lineup the following day.

At my request, we started with the Chardonnays, which I think have shown remarkable improvement over the past decade or so. Gago came close to admitting as much of Yattarna, saying, "Pre-2000s, they didn't go the distance we hoped. But we're pouring the 2008s now and loving them." The goal with Yattarna has become, he said, "Pristine, beautifully framed fruit. We're not after artifact, we just want purity—but we don't want simplicity. We want layers of flavor, that length. Balance is really what it's all about." While not everyone will (or can) get on board to spend $150 for a bottle of Yattarna, readers shouldn't overlook the Bin 311 Chardonnay, which incorporates numerous lots that were culled from Yattarna and retails for a much more competitive $40.

On the red wine side of the ledger, most of the new releases are from the 2019 vintage. While it may not quite equal the heights of 2018, Gago said, "It was a good solid vintage for us. There was a bit of heat, but not like ’20 or ’08. Only a handful of 40 degrees Celsius-plus days, some rains." Standouts include the (unavailable in the U.S.) Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz, the Bin 798 RWT Shiraz and the Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon. Budget-minded shoppers may want to try the Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz, which, like the Bin 311 Chardonnay, represents a solid value at $40.

From earlier vintages, fans of the style will want to stock up on the 2018 St Henri Shiraz, which is truly a prodigious effort. I think it even exceeds the quality of the 2017 Grange, which is a super wine but a not-so-super Grange. A bit lighter than typical, Gago described the vintage as being, “about berry fruit, not that savory.” It’s only the seventh vintage of Grange to be 100% Shiraz, and is almost all from Barossa (86%), with the balance coming from McLaren Vale.

Finally, I would be remiss not to mention two new red wines making their debut from the 2018 vintage. Named 802.A Superblend and 802.B Superblend, these are Cabernet-Shiraz wines aimed at the luxury market and packaged accordingly, in heavyset bottles with enormous punts. The 802.A was matured in American oak and includes roughly two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, while 802.B went into French oak and is only 55% Cabernet. Collectors for whom money is no object will no doubt enjoy comparing and contrasting them over the next several decades.

Jancisrobinson.com | JR 18
Published: Aug 3, 2022
Drink: 2022-2038

Oak upon oak – this takes the Penfolds signature model to the extreme, with strong vanilla and coconut scent. Then the palate reveals the fruit all at once, in a flourish of ripeness and persistence. As ever, the quality of underlying fruit is undeniable, as evidenced by the purity and persistence. If you like the Penfolds style, you will love this. And if not, you won't.

Penfolds.com

One Superblend. Two Interpretations. Superblend 802.A and Superblend 802.B represent two unique interpretations of the iconic Australian blend of cabernet sauvignon and shiraz, sourced from unique parcels destined for Penfolds flagships. The Superblend 802.A components were aged separately in new American oak hogsheads for 22 months prior to being blended. 

Colour: Dark, deep crimson red
Nose: Formic and familial ... barrel ferment, stylish oak, Penfolds.An oscillation between bursts of sweetened crème brûlée crust and a savoury jus reduction.Scents of cola nut, star anise and curry leaf add to the complexity of the majestic aromatic offer.Oak? Deftly dovetailed!
Palate: Full-bodied and generous.A compote of blood plum, fig and goji berries.The oscillation noted above now manifested as a sweet buttered/toffeed glaze sitting alongside a roasted reduction avec tomato oil. Malleable and chunky/grippy tannins.A detection of malt and the faintest suggestion of polished timber (mahogany) possibly reflective of a 22-month slumber in 100% new oak? Unashamedly bold.

GRAPE VARIETY
68% Cabernet, 32% Shiraz
VINEYARD REGION
Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, Robe, Clare Valley
wine analysis
Alc/Vol: 14.5%, pH: 3.58, Acidity: 7.0g/L
MATURATION
22 months in American oak hogsheads (100% new)