The reviews of the Penley are abysmal though.
what due talkin' about willis?
I guess you refer to these reviews below DMnz that I found.
I think I agree with you.
However what I wanted to find, but didn't in these reviews was criticism. If JH gave it a 91, you wouldn't know or think differently. I guess the minimalist review is very faint praise for this one otherwise he would have to be more gloating. I really wanted a statement that talked of un balanaced, too early now, not intergrated. But like the motor car writing journos, they are playing it a little safe.
A shame in a way as the deal with discount is a beauty......however, as a quaffer based on the below reviews, it's probably not too bad. I had a 2004 in the last year and that was a really nice one.
89 pts [FONT=NewBaskerville LT,New Baskerville LT]
[FONT=NewBaskerville LT,New Baskerville LT]"'New oak barrel and new '13 Phoenix oak, French oak' is the information given by Penley, plus 'time sent on oak: 15 months,' then 'The new French oak is minimal, but discernible.' So there you have it - except that the wine does have a future." [/FONT][/FONT]
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James Halliday
Australian Wine Companion
2016
88 pts
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[FONT=NewBaskerville LT,New Baskerville LT]"Medium garnet/purple, the 2013 Phoenix Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of red currant jelly, crushed blackcurrants and black cherries with accents of cedar, tobacco leaves and dried herbs with a hint of pencil lead. Medium to full-bodied and showing decent concentration, the palate is framed by chewy tannins and a medium to long finish." [/FONT][/FONT]
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Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate
August 2015
87 pts
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[FONT=NewBaskerville LT,New Baskerville LT]"Reveals a crisp texture around the pink grapefruit—accented blackberry and rose petal flavors, lingering against crunchy tannins." [/FONT][/FONT]
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Harvey Steiman
WineSpectator.com
2015