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Penny's Hill Tasting Posted by Andrew Barrow, 1:36pm 06/09/2007.  The sound of popping corks... guaranteed to get Mr C's interest!
And after sipping on the offerings yesterday too, I can see why. A range from Penny's Hill, accompanied by Sophie Hislop (who sports the title of Group Brand & Relationship Manager) popped into the tasting hut to 'show us what they've got'.
Interestingly they all come with cork closures. A facet that Sophie explained was all part of the 'traditional brand' image Penny's Hill was creating. Pressures from Australia may mean, she continued, that the whole range is placed under screw-cap from the 2007 vintage. No final decision has been made though.
Six wines, plenty of discussion and the inevitable end-of-session photo shoot. (Pictured - Sophie and Andrew Chapman).
The Penny's Hill Chardonnay (£11 approx) stood out for me; not just because the estate concentrates on red wines and I was interested in seeing how they handled a white variety, but simply because of the stunning 'nose' - a complex, lightly honeyed, sophisticated aroma that was not swamped by oak. Taste-wise it wasn't half bad either! Their flagship wine, the Penny's Hill Shiraz (approx £14.50), came across as deep, dark and positively sinful with layers of peppery chocolate wrapped in a creamy blanket but the Penny's Hill Footprint Shiraz (around £28) was certainly the star.
This is a single vineyard, choice selection wine made only in the very best years. Its richness from aroma through to the palate was remarkable but tempered by a gloriously refined edge that simply screamed class and deliciousness. You get what you pay for I guess!
While we negotiate which of the wines to list you may be interested in the Penny's Hill Grenache that is already available. A mouth-filling wine of balance and deliciousness (try it lightly chilled on a warm day) for only £13.99.^ Back to top
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