CWT 521 Chinese Winemaking Trial Cabernet Sauvignon Marselan
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 3–12 years from vintage release.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted duck, braised pork belly, grilled lamb chops
✨ Technical Specifications
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.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1844 by Dr. Christopher and Mary Penfold at Magill Estate in the Mount Lofty foothills, Penfolds represents one of the foundational cornerstones of Australian fine wine. Over nearly two centuries, the house evolved from crafting fortified tonics to pioneering modern multi-regional and multi-vineyard blending across South Australia's premier terroirs, including the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and Coonawarra. Soils span from rich terra rossa over limestone to weathered ironstone and alluvial clays under warm Mediterranean climates tempered by maritime breezes. Under the long-term stewardship of Chief Winemaker Peter Gago, the house adheres to Sustainable Winegrowing Australia standards while preserving an unmistakable house style defined by meticulous fruit classification, submerged-cap fermentation, and structured maturation in American and French oak hogsheads. Benchmark bottlings such as Grange (Bin 95), Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon, Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, and Yattarna Chardonnay define the apex of collectible New World viticulture.
🍇 Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon, Marselan
🍷 ABV
14.5%