Planted around 1888, Block 42 is located at the edge of the Kalimna Vineyard in the Moppa sub-region of the Barossa Valley and comprises Cabernet Sauvignon vines of ancient genetic origins.
The 10-acre Block 42 comprises the oldest plantings of continuously producing Cabernet Sauvignon in the world. for over 120 vintages the vines, planted on their own roots, have produced flavour-intense, mineral rich fruit with exceptional concentration and balance.
A ‘Block 42’ labelled wine has only been produced twice in Penfold’s history of winemaking, 1996 & 2004.
96 Points James Halliday
Medium to full red-purple; a paradigm of everything Cabernet Sauvignon should be: the fragrant cassis/redcurrant fruit and perfect oak integration of the bouquet is followed by an intensely flavoured yet elegant wine on a very long palate flooded with cassis and redcurrant fruit, and crowned with fine tannins on the finish.
95 Points Cambpell Mattinson It’s not a huge wine – but its exquisitely put together. Very little sign of oak. Lovely tannin, pure varietal expression, first signs of leathering, lots of leaf and currant, but in a delicate way. Its delicacy really surprised me. This is fast heading into ethereal territory, and can be drunk from now – and will enter its long peak from about five years on. Makes complexity look easy. A treasure.