Penfolds Max’s Shiraz Cabernet Review: Grippy, Oak-Led, and Built for the Long Haul
Penfolds Max’s Shiraz Cabernet 2020 belongs to the more accessible tier of the Penfolds range—crafted for drinkers who want structure and polish without stepping into prestige pricing. While it carries the familiar depth of a Penfolds blend, it doesn’t try to rival its iconic siblings. Instead, it offers a restrained glimpse into the brand’s legacy—and that quiet confidence is exactly what makes it worth exploring.
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Vintage: |
2020 |
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Region: |
South Australia |
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Varietal: |
Shiraz Cabernet |
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ABV: |
14.5% |
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RRP: |
~$30–35 AUD |
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Format: |
750mL |
Appearance
In the glass, the wine presents as vivid ruby with clean clarity and a youthful glow at the rim. Legs form quickly and fall fast, running straight rather than arcing—suggesting moderate alcohol and a leaner body. Visually, it carries itself with quiet confidence and balance.
Aroma / Nose
Fruit leads here—red berries and a hint of plum—lifted by a touch of spice. The oak stays in the background, offering softness rather than structure. There’s no harshness or alcoholic sting. It’s a nose that invites rather than overwhelms, and with a swirl, it gains a bit more depth without turning showy.
Palate / Taste
A soft warmth builds in the chest. The entry is dry but balanced—spice and subtle fruit share the stage, while tannins grip the gums with clarity but not force. A touch of sweetness reveals itself mid-palate, and a measured hit of alcohol brings shape rather than fire.
Kiki found the Cabernet to lead, giving it definition and dryness, while the Shiraz adds fruit and a touch of softness on the finish. For Adrian, the fruit emerged more clearly, especially with time. It’s a wine that holds its layers separately rather than blending them into a blur.
Finish
The finish is clean and composed—oak lingers gently, and the tannins settle into the cheeks without overstaying. There’s no dramatic taper, just a subtle fade that reinforces the wine’s calm structure. It’s the kind of finish that leaves shape more than flavour, especially on the first pour.
Food Pairing
This wine responds to food with thoughtful restraint. It doesn’t transform—but it enhances and holds its own, adapting just enough to earn its place at the table.
Cheddar: Mellowed alcohol and softened tannins; fruit stepped forward, supported by spice and oak.
Prosciutto: Increased oak and tannins, sweetness faded—firm and flavourful.
Honey Ham: Slightly drier overall, but well-matched—oak stayed forward.
Red Leicester: Alcohol softened, and savouriness emerged; oak and spice led, with dark fruit in the background.
A second pour—after time and food—brought fruit more forward and eased the oak, giving a sense of quiet development.
ATC Verdict: Is It Worth the Splurge?
Penfolds Max’s Shiraz Cabernet 2020 is structured with softness underneath. It opens with oak, grip, and warmth—but reveals more generosity as it breathes. It holds its own with food, never flinching, never fading. And though it doesn’t make a dramatic entrance, it leaves with quiet authority.
Would we drink it again? Absolutely.
Would we cellar it? If we had a second bottle, yes.
Was it worth opening? Without hesitation.
Structured with softness underneath. A wine that builds trust, not tension.
Editor’s Note
Kiki and I opened this bottle over a quiet May lunch—just the two of us, some good cheese, and time to pay attention.
Each pairing revealed a different face: cheddar brought softness, prosciutto drew out the oak, and Red Leicester gave it a savoury depth I didn’t expect.
This wasn’t a sponsored bottle or a staged moment—just an honest tasting over food, with notes taken as we passed the plate.
–Adrian – Editor at All That Is Cool
Please drink responsibly.
All alcohol reviews on All That Is Cool are intended for audiences aged 18+. We support mindful, moderate consumption and only feature bottles we’ve personally tasted and evaluated.
