CWT 521 Chinese Winemaking Trial Cabernet Sauvignon Marselan
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 3–12 years from vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roasted duck, braised pork belly, grilled lamb chops
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Marking a bold new chapter in Penfolds' history of global exploration, the CWT 521 (Chinese Winemaking Trial) represents a masterful fusion of Australian blending philosophy and China's diverse terroirs. Sourced from the high-altitude, mountainous vineyards of Shangri-La in Yunnan and the sunny, arid soils of Ningxia, this wine marries Cabernet Sauvignon with Marselan—a French cross of Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache that has become China's signature red grape. The Cabernet Sauvignon provides a classic, structured backbone of dark cassis and fine-grained tannins, while the Marselan infuses the blend with vibrant purple hues, ripe cherry notes, and exotic spice. Matured in French and American oak, CWT 521 showcases Penfolds' signature house style of rich mid-palate density and seamless integration, offering a compelling narrative of two distinct Chinese wine regions united under a legendary winemaking heritage.
🍾 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.