L41 Penfolds Wine Lunch | COTD Matthew Holmes

PENFOLDS: THEN AND NOW

A special November wine lunch to ring out the final one for the year!

A tasting of the latest releases alongside treasures from our cellar

Our next tasting on November 24th offers members a rare opportunity to explore the evolution of some of Australia's most celebrated wines, comparing the latest Penfolds releases with carefully cellared examples of the same wines, culminating in the magnificent 2022 Penfolds Grange.

We'll explore how these wines develop with age, comparing youthful fruit, structure and intensity with the complexity and elegance that comes from years in the cellar.

Matthew Holmes, our Chef of the Day, will be presenting Steak Frites, a perfect accompaniment to these fine wines.

We'll be seated from 12 noon, with nine wines presented in three brackets to accompany the meal.

Canapés/Entrée — Three expressions of Chardonnay

1. 2025 Penfolds Bin 311 Chardonnay
2. 2021 Penfolds Bin 21A Chardonnay
3. 2025 Penfolds Bin 25A Chardonnay

Main Course — Cabernet and Cabernet Blends, young and mature

1. 2013 Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz
2. 2024 Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz
3. 2024 Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon

Cheese — Shiraz across the years, finishing with the latest release of Grange

1. 2009 Penfolds St Henri Shiraz
2. 2023 Penfolds St Henri Shiraz
3. 2022 Penfolds Grange Shiraz

Wines in bold are from the Society's cellar.

A generous opportunity to taste

Unlike many premium wine tastings, where pours can be rather modest, each table of ten will share a bottle of every wine, providing approximately 75 mL per person per wine. This is a substantial tasting allocation, allowing members to appreciate each wine properly and revisit comparisons as the meal progresses.

We will be releasing seats in blocks of ten, starting with 40 plus ten reserves. Once we reach 50, we will make it 50 plus ten reserves. Our maximum will be 60 (six tables of ten). Bookings will open only to Society members until Friday 13th of November. After this time, we will open bookings for guests.

The cost per person will be $220 for members and $275 for guests. Similar events run by Penfolds have been charged at around $450 per head, with smaller pours.

With nine outstanding wines, including mature cellar selections and the current release of Grange, this promises to be an exceptional exploration of the Penfolds tradition — and an occasion not to be missed.

Book early to avoid missing out.