Wine Peeps is an independent wine blog dedicated to helping you get the most bang for your buck in wine. We do this through blind tastings of wine from around the world and calculations of 
A Wine for Tonight: 2009 Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet
By Kori ~ July 21st, 2011.
Would you like a quick suggestion for a good wine to drink tonight (or this weekend) that won’t break your budget and is widely available? Many of our readers have said this is something they would like, so here is this week’s selection, the 2009 Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet from South Australia.
Our selection criteria include:
- A very good Quality rating of >=3.5 stars (out of 5)
- A price tag of <=$15
- Must be widely available
Penfolds is one of the oldest and most well-respected wineries in Australia. Located in South Australia, Penfolds was established by a transplanted English doctor in 1844. Dr. Christopher Rawson Penfold and his wife Mary built their home at Magill, near Adelaide, and surrounded it with vine cuttings they brought from the south of France. Today, Penfolds boasts two cellar doors (aka tasting rooms), one at the original Magill Estate and the other in Nuriootpa in the heart of the Barossa Valley. Penfolds is most famous for its top of the line Grange wines. This Koonunga Hill wine is from one of their value lines. Nevertheless, according to some “experts,†it is a wine that can age for 20 years which is remarkable for a wine at this price point.
“Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet is very much a reflection of the Penfolds winemaking style and philosophy. Sourced from premium vineyards across South Australia, the wine is known for its full-flavoured style with excellent Shiraz and Cabernet fruit, firm yet well-rounded structure and balanced oak. Made as a traditional ‘Australian blend’, the Shiraz component provides fleshy fruit flavour while Cabernet provides a frame of fine grained tannins.†–Penfolds
2009 Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet (South Australia, Australia): 73% Shiraz, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep, dark purple. Very aromatic with blackberry jam, black pepper, and spice on both the nose and palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity and medium to high tannins. Well-balanced and smooth with a long finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Fred Meyer (Seattle, Washington), $9.79; Available elsewhere, $10 to $12
Filed under: A Wine for Tonight, Australian Wine, Five-Bangs For Your Buck Wines, Red Wine, Shiraz/Syrah, Wines Under $10, Wines Under $15, Wines Under $20, Wines Under $25
Very intriguing choice of wine. Had not considered Australian wine before but trust your recommendations and will definitely consider buying. Adelaide is a lovely place too with the typical beauty that is unique to Australia.
CoffeeGuy,
I definitely encourage you to try some Australian wines. They offer some great wines at great values. Yes, Adelaide is a wonderful place. We had a wonderful time when we visited the Barossa Valley in 2005. Cheers!
I was given a bottle of this on Christmas by my boss as a holiday gift. Ordinarily, I am not a huge fan of most reds, as they are a bit bitter for my tastes. However, after trying a glass, I must say that this is one of few reds that I do like. It has a slight bitterness, and a good taste. Even if the bottle weren’t a gift, I would definitely buy a bottle. Seems like it would go quite well with a nice steak or a pasta with red sauce.
Chris,
Glad to hear it. Hope you enjoy it. Happy New Year!