If you’ve ever found yourself questioning what to gift someone during the holiday (or any other) season, we really can’t recommend a bottle with Penfolds printed across the label highly enough. Always a sure bet, we’d wager Australia’s most prestigious winemaker has been responsible for more satisfied gift receivers than just about anyone, and with the introduction of the new Penfolds Holiday Collection, well, the choice just became even easier.
Launched in collaboration with Penfolds Creative Partner NIGO—a fellow who’s the Creative Director of Human Made and Artistic Director of KENZO when he’s not lending his particular flair to the world of winemaking—the range is inspired by his interpretation of a graphic checkered pattern that’s found in traditional Asian textiles.
According to the man himself, his goal with this third collaborative project with Penfolds was to introduce an element of the personal: “It was very important to me to incorporate my culture into this holiday collection. Integrating the checkered design and Furoshiki (a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth) was a clear way for me to honour that. With this Furoshiki, I hope collectors can wrap, gift, and share their Penfolds wines this holiday season.”
Without question, the resulting design is striking, ensuring the Penfolds Holiday Collection will stand out once the gift-giving season commences. Whether the intended recipient is a fan of Shiraz, someone for whom Cabernet Sauvignon is the go-to, or a Chardonnay aficionado, there’s an option in this limited-edition collectable series that will hit the spot. Let’s take a closer look at everything the Penfolds Holiday Collection has in store to help you celebrate festively.
Penfolds Holiday by NIGO Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2019
The standard bearer of the Holiday by NIGO Collection, this drop is a festive interpretation of Penfolds ‘Baby Grange’, arriving in a handsome ‘Penfolds Red’ design.
Crack it open, and you’ll be greeted by a nose boasting notes of cola, grated chocolate, and cappuccino, along with hints of juniper, brown sugar, and liquorice. Give it a moment, and hints of brandy and blood orange rind emerge, followed by touches of cedar and graphite.
Take a sip to discover fresh and fleshy flavours, including notes of liquorice, stewed plum, and blackcurrant, with a background of dark chocolate and mocha. An interplay between succulent acidity and integrated tannins coats the mouth and delivers an impressive length that rounds out this highly polished, refined wine.
Price: 1 x 750mL AUD$120
Penfolds Holiday by NIGO Bin 311 Chardonnay 2017
Arriving in one of the two cylinder-shaped gift boxes contained within the Holiday by NIGO Collection, the delightful Bin 311 Chardonnay is encased in a festive green pattern that makes it an ideal gift for the holiday season.
On the nose, you’ll be met with a fresh and inviting bouquet of nougat and ground nuts, including pistachio, almond, and roasted chestnut. There’s a layer of crème brûlée sitting alongside notes of ripe white nectarine and peach fruits, while a hint of quartz and limestone are sure to raise a curious eyebrow.
On the palate, you’ll find citrus flavours hanging above a soft and succulent acid underpinning. With outstanding length and a compelling sense of momentum, a trio of chardonnay expressions combine to create a perfect balance of texture, acidity, tightness, and purity.
Price: 1 x 750mL AUD$55
Penfolds Holiday by NIGO Bin 28 Shiraz 2022
The second cylinder-shaped gift box in the Holiday by NIGO Collection is emblazoned in glorious blue and contains a Shiraz that’s guaranteed to make anyone who tries it feel very merry this Christmas.
Take in the aroma and you’ll encounter a subtle formic acidity combined with savoury notes of blood pudding, fennel, and black liquorice. While that might sound formidable, it’s softened by the sweet touch of milk chocolate and dark fruits. Finally, notes of cinnamon, toasted fennel seeds, clove, mace, and sumac round it out superbly.
Bring this outstanding Shiraz to your lips and you’ll find cocoa powder perfectly framed by savoury oak. Notes of black fruit lead to dark plum and spice layers with the delicate touch of dusted icing sugar. With lively acidity throughout perfectly balanced by fine structural tannins, this is a wine of exceptional complexity and depth that never becomes anything less than entirely approachable.
Price: 1 x 750mL AUD$50
Penfolds Holiday by NIGO Max’s Shiraz 2022
A trio of Penfolds Max’s red wines round out this collection, each sporting a distinctive black checkered pattern. The first of these is the Shiraz 2022, which features a nose of bright fruit, cinlduign red berries and ripe plums, along with notes of fresh cream, wild strawberries, and a hint of cocoa.
The gentle, fresh palate consists of fresh plums, ripe cherries, and hints of pomegranate, balanced with an undeniable creamy richness.
Price: 6 x 750mL AUD$180
Penfolds Holiday by NIGO Max’s Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
The second Max’s red wine inclusion is a Cabernet Sauvignon with distinct aromas of bay and blackberry leaves. Give it a swirl and you’ll reveal dark red cherries and mulberries, followed by cooking spice notes that include cardamom, allspice, and vanilla bean pod.
Sipping reveals blackberry and dark red cherry fruits, followed by cranberry and pomegranate. American and French oak arrives to support the fruit notes while the structural tannins drive you headlong towards the finish.
Price: 6 x 750mL AUD$180
Penfolds Holiday by NIGO Max’s Shiraz Cabernet 2021
Penfolds describes the final drop as “an aromatic kaleidoscope” and it’s hard to argue. Fresh blackberries, mulberry compote, and poached plums lead the way, followed by herbaceous notes of mulberry and bay leaves. The warmth of baking spices and fresh boysenberry muffins complete the journey.
On the palate, there are notes of blackberry and plum supported and balanced by oak. Blueberry and blackberry notes flesh out the the mid-palate with fine tannins and fresh acidity completing an outstanding profile.
Price: 6 x 750mL AUD$180
No matter which of these wines you choose, NIGO has also designed four wrapping cloths that complement the colourways of the giftboxes. This key textile from ancient Asian culture—its origins date back over 1,200 years—is designed to provide a more sustainable gift-wrapping option when gifting Penfolds wines. It also just happens to make for the perfect finishing touch this festive season.
