Penfold

[sedhed]

I still have not tried the 389.

The 189 had good body more tannis and less fruit than the Rawson's Retreat. Went well with a steak 13.9%. The grapes are evenly split among Shiraz, Mouredre, and Grenache so it was hard to get a handle on particular flavors.

Rawson's Retreat is at 14.5%. The grapes are 60% Shiraz and 40% cab. At first I thought this was going be a "fruit Bomb" IK described one time; all I could taste was the fruit. however, after about 20-30 minutes the acidity kicked in and the balance leveled off. The Shiraz dominated the flavor. I enjoyed this wine but I can't think of a good food match. Some what like a Barbera with a little too much fruit.

I also bought a Penfolds Koonunga Hill 2001.
The grapes are 52% shiraz and 48% Cab. Alcohol is 13.9. This wine took about 30 minutes for the Cab. to show up and I could detect cassis and slight vanilla flavors besides the Shiraz flavors. The tannis are very soft so this wine needs to be consumed this year. Price was $10.90. I like this one the best. I think it can be matched with any food you can have with a Cab. or Rhone.
All the above wines were purple in color.