Penfolds
Bin 389 South Australia Cabernet Shiraz
South Australia, Australia
Cassis and oak - the latter quite noticeable. From a ripe year where the fruit should be apparent but at the moment the oak dominates - mocha notes, but then again still has a huge future. Amazing what a solid core of self contained full body this has for 16 years of age, but still of profound intensity - dark chocolate and black currant. Will go on for literally decades - only have 2 left. Penfolds “Rewards of Patience “ say through to 2050! That is not as crazy as it sounds. This wine is close to immortal Next one in 10 years.
Cassis and oak - the latter quite noticeable. From a ripe year where the fruit should be apparent but at the moment the oak dominates - mocha notes, but then again still has a huge future. Amazing what a solid core of self contained full body this has for 16 years of age, but still of profound intensity - dark chocolate and black currant. Will go on for literally decades - only have 2 left. Penfolds “Rewards of Patience “ say through to 2050! That is not as crazy as it sounds. This wine is close to immortal Next one in 10 years.
Jul 17th, 2024The beauty of screwcaps (Stelvin) is that you can keep them standing up so that when you plan to drink them all of the sediment (a reasonable amount in a 15 year old Bin 389) is already at the bottom of the bottle and ready to be decanted. Aromas of Oak, Blackberry and Tar. From the warm 2008 vintage and fairly extracted. Too much oak but it is made for the long haul (20 years plus) and needs to balance all that ripe fruit. Medium plus to full bodied. Blackberry and black cherry. Maybe in 5 years the oak will be fully integrated. I’m sure Penfolds know what they are doing. They’ve only been making Bin 389 for 60 odd years (a guess).
The beauty of screwcaps (Stelvin) is that you can keep them standing up so that when you plan to drink them all of the sediment (a reasonable amount in a 15 year old Bin 389) is already at the bottom of the bottle and ready to be decanted. Aromas of Oak, Blackberry and Tar. From the warm 2008 vintage and fairly extracted. Too much oak but it is made for the long haul (20 years plus) and needs to balance all that ripe fruit. Medium plus to full bodied. Blackberry and black cherry. Maybe in 5 years the oak will be fully integrated. I’m sure Penfolds know what they are doing. They’ve only been making Bin 389 for 60 odd years (a guess).
Jan 17th, 2023Rich Ruby in colour. Aromas of mocha oak, plum, cherry and blackberry. Hints of prune and dark chocolate. Great fruit quality - Cabernet 52% from Coonawarra and 48% Shiraz from the Barossa. The percentages are correct - they may tinker with the source from Penfolds vast resources. Dry but polished tannins. Typical of the longevity of nearly all Penfolds Reds, this is the first of 6 bottles at 13 years of age. Richard Hemming MW has a drinking window of 2020 to 2043 so this is just the beginning. Have the next in a few years.
Rich Ruby in colour. Aromas of mocha oak, plum, cherry and blackberry. Hints of prune and dark chocolate. Great fruit quality - Cabernet 52% from Coonawarra and 48% Shiraz from the Barossa. The percentages are correct - they may tinker with the source from Penfolds vast resources. Dry but polished tannins. Typical of the longevity of nearly all Penfolds Reds, this is the first of 6 bottles at 13 years of age. Richard Hemming MW has a drinking window of 2020 to 2043 so this is just the beginning. Have the next in a few years.
Feb 25th, 2021From Dr Peter’s old Australian tasting. More power in this one showing its relative youth at only 11 years. Dense in colour and flavour from a warmer year. Medium + intensity- Powerful and long - mocha and berry with a long journey ahead.
From Dr Peter’s old Australian tasting. More power in this one showing its relative youth at only 11 years. Dense in colour and flavour from a warmer year. Medium + intensity- Powerful and long - mocha and berry with a long journey ahead.
Aug 10th, 2019
Clear, deep, ruby colour. Clean, pronounced nose with spice and black fruits. Dry, high acidity and tannins nicely balanced. Fantastic complex flavours of cinnamon, blackberries, and liquorice. Very good quality wine that was a tremendous accompaniment to fillet steak.
Clear, deep, ruby colour. Clean, pronounced nose with spice and black fruits. Dry, high acidity and tannins nicely balanced. Fantastic complex flavours of cinnamon, blackberries, and liquorice. Very good quality wine that was a tremendous accompaniment to fillet steak.
Nov 14th, 2018
Dry, full body. Bold, strong taste. Swaj parents gift to us.
Dry, full body. Bold, strong taste. Swaj parents gift to us.
Aug 9th, 2018Still quite close after 10 years. Smooth drinking. Can keep for another 3 or more
Still quite close after 10 years. Smooth drinking. Can keep for another 3 or more
Feb 17th, 2018
