This Weekend's Pick

Wine of the Weekend

Penny’s Hill The Specialized Shiraz/Cabernet/Merlot 2018

Drinking a blended wine, one made from two or more grapes, can be an amazing experience: think top-flight Bordeaux or Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The highlights of one grape blend seamlessly into the next, and the sum becomes much greater than its parts. Penny’s Hill has nailed it with their blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot called ‘The Specialized’, with each grape joining in a delicious, balanced harmony.

Tasting Notes: Showing an array of plum and dark berry fruits, The Specialized offers hints of dark chocolate and anise along with notes of vanilla and spice from fine French oak. With great depth and structure, the palate offers the spice of Shiraz, the structure of Cabernet and the softness of Merlot, all in one sip.

Enjoy With: All of your grilled favourites: steak, lamb burgers, pork chops or smoked brisket. If you’re cooking indoors, match The Specialized with hearty stews or roast beef. It’s also a great wine for hard cheeses and is a delicious sip on its own.

Style: A rich, full-bodied red wine.

Terroir/Region: The Specialized blend is made from specific parcels of vineyards around the Penny’s Hill Estate in McLaren Vale, Australia. How specific? The Shiraz has to come from the narrow, elevated rows of the Penny’s Hill Vineyard to have the right structure. The Cab and Merlot need to come from the black soils of the Goss Corner Vineyard to be juicy enough to balance the blend. These vineyards are hand-tended and hand-picked with upmost care. Now, that’s specific.

Producer: Named Penny’s Hill after the hill the winery sits on, the property was purchased by Tony and Susie Parkinson in 1988 and planted to vines in 1991. Still a family endeavour, Tony has brought his two sons into the family business, ensuring several more vintages of The Specialized as the next generation takes the reins.

Availability: Penny’s Hill The Specialized will be available in the Vintages section of your local LCBO and for online ordering/pick up on October 16, but a few stores may already have it on the shelf.

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Check LCBO store inventory

Price:  $22.95

LCBO #: 15976

Size: 750 mL

Alcohol Content: 14.5% alc./vol.

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