Penfolds Wine History

By Alexander James

The name Penfolds has been associated with wine since a young English doctor, Dr. Christopher Penfold, and his better half Mary purchased 500 acres of land in 1884 in South Australia. This vineyard became known as Magill Estate; the very first vineyard to carry the Penfolds name. Penfolds now operated 5 wine outlets in Southern Australia - Magill, Barossa Valley, Eden Valley, McLaren Vale and Coonawarra.



Making all sorts of wine from all vintages, maybe their most famed wine is Penfolds Grange. It also turns out to be one of the costliest wines worldwide. In 2012, a bottle of Penfolds Grange 2004 vintage went on sale for $168,000, with the wine came in a special hand blown glass ampoules



Since the 1st vintage in 1976 of a Shiraz Cabernet, Penfolds Koonunga Hill has positioned itself in the higher echelons of Australian premium wines. It's top of the range and consistency, as well as it's good value, has ensured that Koonunga Hill remains a fave of wine buffs all over. Produced from premium vineyards around South Australia, the guts of this wine is derived from the Barossa Valley. A grade fruit from Coonawarra and McLaren Vale may also be found in this wine, giving it fantastic structure and length.



While this wine is prepared for drinking straight away, the Koonunga Hill Shiraz will age gracefully and gain further qualities over the next one or two years. This is a rich Shiraz, with the flavour of blueberries, plums and layered with a little hint of spice.



In our review, the Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz held up well to Penfolds own descriptions of the wine. Priced up at $9.99, it provides great value for money for a Shiraz. It has a full bodied taste, with a definite berry like sweetness that comes straight out at you. There's also some hints of vanilla, although the after taste is slightly green, with an acrimony that sits on the tongue. Nothing too major though, and certainly not something to put the drinker off.

Overall, for taste and excellent value this is a solid Shiraz. If you like Shiraz's you might go worse than this.

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For more information on the wine, thave a look at the full video review by Alexander James on our YouTube channel by heading here.