II
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 5 to 15 years from the vintage release, though its robust structure allows it to cellar beautifully for up to 20 years.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Slow-roasted leg of lamb with rosemary, grilled ribeye steak with a red wine reduction, or rich beef bourguignon.
✨ Technical Specifications
Penfolds 'II' represents a historic, boundary-pushing collaboration between the historic Australian producer Penfolds and the esteemed Bordeaux winemaking house, Dourthe. This unique cross-hemisphere blend unites two distinct winemaking traditions, combining Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot sourced from Bordeaux, France, with premium South Australian Shiraz. The components are carefully blended and matured under the stewardship of Penfolds winemakers. The name 'II' signifies the partnership of two hemispheres, two legendary wine regions, and two distinct styles coming together in perfect harmony. The result is a wine that marries the structured, savory elegance of French Cabernet with the plush, opulent, and spicy fruit character of Australian Shiraz, offering a fascinating dialogue between Old World restraint and New World generosity.
🍾 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.