Wine review

The winery was set up by a young Englishman, Dr Christopher Rawson Penfold, over 160 years ago. Before emigrating to Australia, he had studied at St Barts in London and like many doctors at the time believed in the medicinal value of wine. The young doctor took vine cuttings from the South of France and these were planted around his modest stone cottage near Adelaide.

In the 1950s, Penfolds chief winemaker, Max Schubert, created the iconic Grange blended red. It's probably the most prestigious New World wine and each vintage is eagerly awaited by collectors worldwide. It's a huge, complex wine, richly textured, intense concentrated flavours and packed with fruit. Expect to pay 100 if you can find any but it does tend to increase in value dramatically.

The Rawson Retreat label wines are affordable and easy drinking wines made from grapes grown in several South Australian regions.

Penfolds Rawson’s Retreat Semillon / Chardonnay 2008 - Lemon and peach aromas, melon and pineapple on the palate with just a touch of oak.

Penfolds Rawson’s Retreat Shiraz Cabernet 2008 - This soft and rounded blend has typical Australian ripe berry fruit, some chocolate and spicy nuances.

Penfolds Rawson’s Retreat Riesling 2008 - Pleasant citrus fruit aromas with a fresh and lively palate.

These Rawson’s Retreat wines are widely available and usually cost around 6.99 however they are currently on offer at Gap Wines on the Antrim Road and at Fortfields in Carrick for 4.99.

by Paul Abraham