Penfolds RWT Shiraz 2005

This was the first time I've had the Penfolds RWT Shiraz. It's deep purple, notes of pepper, some oak, pencil lead, and of course dark fruits. It's spicy, fairly full bodied, well-balanced, with good fruit, acid, unobtrusive tannins, and generally nice. I've wanted to try it for a while, and I'm glad I did, but I think that some Australian Shiraz has gotten overpriced, and I prefer several others to this, especially since I can buy two to three, or even more, bottles of my other favorites (Two Hands Angel's Share anyone?) for the same price as this, about $110 locally. I still have hopes to try Grange at some point and be wowed. But otherwise I think that the low end Penfolds are likely all I'll be buying. Tasted 10/18.