Block 42 Cabernet Sauvignon Ampoule
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 20 to 50+ years from the vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roasted rack of lamb, Prime dry-aged ribeye steak, Slow-braised beef cheeks
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Penfolds Block 42 Cabernet Sauvignon Ampoule represents one of the most exclusive and theatrical releases in wine history. The wine itself is sourced from Block 42 of the Kalimna Vineyard in the Barossa Valley, home to what are widely considered the oldest continuously producing Cabernet Sauvignon vines in the world, planted in 1885. These ancient, dry-grown vines yield fruit of extraordinary concentration and complexity. In 2012, Penfolds commissioned South Australian studio artists to create a limited run of twelve hand-blown glass ampoules to house the legendary 2004 vintage. Lacking a traditional cork or screwcap, the ampoule requires a senior Penfolds winemaker to personally travel to the collector's location with a specially designed sterling silver scribe to open it. The wine inside is a masterclass in power and elegance, showcasing deep dark berry fruit, refined French oak integration, and a seamless, velvety structure that honors its historic terroir.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 1844 by Dr. Christopher and Mary Penfold at Magill Estate near Adelaide, Penfolds is one of Australia's oldest and most iconic wineries, now headquartered in Nuriootpa, South Australia. The estate is celebrated for pioneering a unique house style centered on multi-regional and multi-vineyard blending, a philosophy perfected by legendary winemaker Max Schubert in the mid-20th century. Penfolds is globally renowned for its robust, structured red wines aged in premium oak, most notably its flagship Grange—a rich, collectible Shiraz-based blend—alongside acclaimed expressions like Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz and Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, while maintaining its deep South Australian roots, the producer has expanded its winemaking footprint to include exceptional terroirs in California, Bordeaux, and beyond.