Penfolds Max’s Chardonnay and Cabernet

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Penfolds Max’s Chardonnay and Cabernet

These are two of three wines under the relatively new Penfolds label ‘Max’s’, which pays tribute to former chief winemaker and creator of Grange, Max Schubert. There’s a third wine in the range, the Shiraz/Cabernet, which is just a little cheaper at £16.95.

Penfolds Max’s Chardonnay 2017 Adelaide Hills, Australia
13% alcohol
£19.99 Waitrose
Bright, lively and focused with a piercing lime-laced acidity underpinning attractive yellow plum and lemon fruit. Has some subtle spicy framing with a suggestion of toast and fresh-baked bread, but the real driver here is the lovely zippy fruit, and the grapefruit tension on the finish. Lovely wine. 93/100

Penfolds Max’s Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 South Australia
14.5% alcohol
£19.99 Sainsbury’s
Blends together fruit from McLaren Vale, Wrattonbully and Coonawarra, aged in oak with 6% new French and 7% new American. This is rich and sweetly fruited with a minty edge to the luscious blackberry and blackcurrant fruit. It’s very rich and ripe, with a rounded mid-palate and a slight jamminess. A crowd-pleaser more than something for contemplation, but impressively put together. 90/100

 

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