This brand new Penfolds label pays homage to Grange founder, Max Schubert. Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2012 The Max Schubert Cabernet / Shiraz offers a slowly evolving, complex nose with baked berry, cassis and cedar notes over spice box and earth hints. Medium-bodied with a rock-solid foundation of grainy tannins and refreshing acidity, the muscular fruit is densely packed at this youthful stage, leading to a long if somewhat restrained finish. This is a very promising wine, though I’ve played my score on the conservative side.