Dourthe II in GP - Penfolds

A red wine with a stage effect: Dourthe II in GP - Penfolds catches the eye already in the glass. The bright ruby red with fine violet reflections promises depth and excitement. When swirled, the wine shows dense church windows, indicating substance and an elegant power.

On the nose, a multi-layered bouquet unfolds. At the forefront are red currants, juicy cherries and a touch of blackcurrant. Added to this are fine notes of oak, a cool breeze of mint and fresh lemon balm. Nuances of blackberry, plum, dark chocolate and a hint of espresso join in discreetly. A touch of tobacco, cedarwood and a hint of smoke round off the bouquet and recall classic Bordeaux blends with a touch of New World power.

On the palate, Dourthe II in GP - Penfolds presents an astonishingly harmonious performance. The blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz combines finesse with juicy fruit and spicy depth. Cabernet Sauvignon contributes structure, dark berries and firm tannins. Merlot provides velvety richness, red fruit and a soft core. Shiraz delivers spicy notes, dark berries, pepper and a hint of exoticism. The interplay creates a red wine with dense body, clear contours and lively freshness.

The texture feels dense yet smooth. Ripe, fine-grained tannins lay silkily on the tongue without dominating. The acidity feels precise and gives the wine drive. The style is powerful and at the same time elegant, with a dry, straightforward character. The fruit remains ever-present, while the spice adds depth. In the long finish, red currants, a touch of mint, vanilla from the wood and a fine hint of cocoa reappear.

Typical for the Bordelais, Atlantic influence meets warm days here. The vineyards around Bordeaux benefit from cool nights, proximity to the river and a diversity of soils. Gravel, sand and some clay give the vines an ideal basis for deep-rooted plants. This explains the clear fruit, the fine spice and the balanced structure of this red wine in New World style. It appears classically inspired yet with modern precision and an international signature.

The aromatic range is impressively broad. Particularly typical for this wine are:

• Red currant and cherry for juicy fruit
• Blackcurrant and blackberry for dark depth
• Oak, vanilla and cedarwood for noble spice
• Mint, lemon balm and a touch of eucalyptus for cool freshness
• Cocoa, espresso and delicate smoky nuances on the finish

With these characteristics, this red wine is suitable for many enjoyable moments. Its key strengths are evident in several areas:

1. Characterful blend with clear origin and international style
2. Balanced harmony of fruit, spice, tannin and acidity
3. Versatile use, from solo enjoyment to food pairing
4. Convincing length in the finish with persistent fruit
5. Strong presence on the palate yet smooth drinking flow

Dourthe II in GP - Penfolds is ideal for wine lovers who appreciate dense, dry red wines with structure and aromatic depth. It suits an evening for two just as well as a large table gathering. The wine already appears inviting in the glass and delivers on the palate a harmonious, multi-layered experience that makes you want the next sip.

Production of Dourthe II in GP by Penfolds

The grapes for this red wine come from selected sites in the Bordelais. The moderate Atlantic climate provides warm days and cooler nights. Winds from the Atlantic prevent heat build-up and give the vines relief. Soils with gravel content store warmth during the day and release it again at night. In this way, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz ripen evenly and develop aromatic depth.

Cabernet Sauvignon contributes framework, dark fruit and finely structured tannin. Merlot complements this with fullness, juicy cherry fruit and a soft texture. Shiraz adds peppery spice, dark berry aromas and a hint of exoticism. This combination provides the framework for a red wine with structure yet without heaviness, with power on the palate and clear fruit definition.

Harvesting is done selectively to bring only ripe, aromatic grapes into the cellar. Part of the grapes goes into the fermentation vessels as whole berries, part is destemmed. This creates a fine interplay of tannin, fruit and freshness. Before fermentation, the must rests briefly to gently extract initial color and aroma compounds.

Alcoholic fermentation takes place under temperature control. Cool fermentation temperatures preserve the clear fruit. Gentle pumping over and careful punching down of the cap extract color and tannins from the grape skins. Maturation takes place partly in stainless steel tanks and partly in oak barrels. Barrel ageing brings vanilla, toast and cedarwood notes into the wine. At the same time, maturation in stainless steel preserves the freshness of the fruit and the lively structure.

Extended contact with the fine lees rounds off the texture. Regular stirring of the lees gives the wine more depth, creaminess and complexity. Before bottling, the blend rests once more so that all components can harmoniously integrate. The result is a red wine that combines Bordeaux origin with a modern style reminiscent of the New World.

Serving recommendations for Dourthe II in GP by Penfolds

Dourthe II in GP by Penfolds is suitable as a powerful food companion and as a characterful wine for solo enjoyment. As an aperitif, it is ideal for a convivial evening with hearty snacks such as spicy hard cheese, air-dried ham and olives. At the table, it shows its strengths above all with robust, aromatic dishes.

This red wine pairs very well with beef dishes such as roast beef, entrecôte or braised beef cheeks. Lamb chops with herb crust or a juicy lamb roast are also ideal matches. With game dishes such as saddle of venison, venison ragout or wild duck, the wine reveals its deep, dark fruit and spicy streak. Grill enthusiasts will enjoy the combination with steak, lamb skewers or burgers with bacon and strong cheese.

In Mediterranean cuisine, the wine accompanies pasta with ragout, lasagne, lamb with rosemary, ratatouille or stuffed peppers. Hearty stews with beans, root vegetables and tomato also pair excellently. Vegetarian gourmets can choose dishes with mushrooms, aubergines, herbs and matured hard cheese. Grilled vegetables, baked potatoes with rosemary and spicy lentil dishes form an equally suitable match.

For cheese, a selection of mature Comté, Gruyère, Manchego or a well-aged Gouda is recommended. Blue cheese with nutty bread forms an exciting contrast to the wine’s dark fruit. As the conclusion to a menu, Dourthe II in GP by Penfolds also goes well with dark chocolate with a high cocoa content or chocolate desserts with berries.

The ideal serving temperature is between 16 and 18 degrees. For young bottles, brief decanting helps the aromas to fully unfold. A bulbous red wine glass with a large surface area brings out the fruit, oak and mint notes clearly. Stored cool, protected from light and in a constant environment, the wine will develop its potential for several more years and gain additional depth and complexity.

• More products from Penfolds