Glorious deep crimson-purple with an alluring bouquet of black fruits spice and cedary oak contributed by 14 months' maturation in 83% new French hogsheads. The medium- to full-bodied palate has layer-upon-layer of velvety blackberry fruit allied with notes of dark chocolate and a sprinkle of licorice and spice silky tannins and quality oak completing the package.

Full-bodied and richly textured with Penfolds' hallmark weight and structure on full display the 2008 RWT shows a touch of the vintage's characteristic warmth but only a touch. The cassis and blackberry fruit is plush velvety and superripe ending with hints of tobacco mint and vanilla. It should drink well for at least a decade. --Joe Czerwinski

Made entirely with Barossa Valley shiraz as always - and this year matured in 83 percent new French oak (the highest percentage of new oak in Penfolds RWT since the 1998).No doubting it: this is a wine of impact. Big blueberried fruit big blue-cedar oak. Spice and rich ripe robust plummy flavour. Stains the glass an inky purple. Warm brandied aftertaste but it has the power to shift the flavours right through. It was a hot vintage but they've brought this baby home. Given its power it is remarkably composed and bright. Grunty tannin makes the wine feel like it has `a big motor'. If you were being critical you'd say that it lacks nuance or perhaps complexity - but time could well take care of that. Looking forward to giving this another try in the next few weeks. --Campbell Mattinson

Deep garnet with some purple, the 2008 RWT Shiraz is a little closed and shows dried fruits, blueberry preserves, cola, kirsch, potpourri and allspice. Medium to full-bodied and expressive, it has nice and firm chewy tannins and good length. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown