Penfolds
Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon
South Australia, Australia
I don’t have experience with properly aged wines, even so, whilst good, I think this was past its prime. Gifted to a friend who included me in it’s drinking, he thought it had been shop-bought rather than pulled from a personal collection. Cork broke and crumbled, plenty of porty bottle stink that never really disappeared (20 minute decant, drunk over an hour). Dark red, medium bodied, fruit sitting back in the mix, but still dense and black. The highlight is the lovely drying soft leathery tannin.
I don’t have experience with properly aged wines, even so, whilst good, I think this was past its prime. Gifted to a friend who included me in it’s drinking, he thought it had been shop-bought rather than pulled from a personal collection. Cork broke and crumbled, plenty of porty bottle stink that never really disappeared (20 minute decant, drunk over an hour). Dark red, medium bodied, fruit sitting back in the mix, but still dense and black. The highlight is the lovely drying soft leathery tannin.
Jun 9th, 2019
Deep crimson in colour. Noticeable oak (mocha) amongst the cassis and sweet ripe berry fruit aromas and flavours - the Penfolds formula if you will. A touch of Coonawarra mint. Crazy to say at 20 years it is still a youngster - but true. It still has a powerful, concentrated and full bodied palate from an exceptional vintage. Smooth fine grained tannins finishing dry and with time in decanter some austerity. Next in 3 to 5 years but this will cruise into the 2030s.
Deep crimson in colour. Noticeable oak (mocha) amongst the cassis and sweet ripe berry fruit aromas and flavours - the Penfolds formula if you will. A touch of Coonawarra mint. Crazy to say at 20 years it is still a youngster - but true. It still has a powerful, concentrated and full bodied palate from an exceptional vintage. Smooth fine grained tannins finishing dry and with time in decanter some austerity. Next in 3 to 5 years but this will cruise into the 2030s.
Dec 1st, 2018
For my son's 20th birthday, I think this 19 year old, Australian Cabernet, will be appropriate. It's also going to take care of my Friday's fix nicely...
What a beautiful color on this beauty. Ruby in color with a burgundy rim. Almost showing no age at all.
After an hour in the decanter, fruity nose with blueberries, cherries, strawberries, black currants, leather, oak, vanilla, licorice, light green pepper, smoke and black pepper. Very gentle and aromatic.
Medium plus in body, smooth and elegant, with medium plus acidity and awesome looking legs.
Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, blueberries, cloves, licorice, vanilla, cedar, leather, dirt, pencil lead, earth, cola, white pepper and spices.
A very long finish with very fine grained tannins and tart cherries.
What an awesome wine this is. Well-balanced and very enjoyable by itself. So elegant, complex and velvety.
It smells and tastes a lot like a Napa Cabernet, which surprised me a little.
Aged for 15 months in American oak barrels.
14% alcohol by volume.
For my son's 20th birthday, I think this 19 year old, Australian Cabernet, will be appropriate. It's also going to take care of my Friday's fix nicely...
What a beautiful color on this beauty. Ruby in color with a burgundy rim. Almost showing no age at all.
After an hour in the decanter, fruity nose with blueberries, cherries, strawberries, black currants, leather, oak, vanilla, licorice, light green pepper, smoke and black pepper. Very gentle and aromatic.
Medium plus in body, smooth and elegant, with medium plus acidity and awesome looking legs.
Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, blueberries, cloves, licorice, vanilla, cedar, leather, dirt, pencil lead, earth, cola, white pepper and spices.
A very long finish with very fine grained tannins and tart cherries.
What an awesome wine this is. Well-balanced and very enjoyable by itself. So elegant, complex and velvety.
It smells and tastes a lot like a Napa Cabernet, which surprised me a little.
Aged for 15 months in American oak barrels.
14% alcohol by volume.
Superb wine from a superb vintage
Superb wine from a superb vintage
Aug 24th, 2015Initially had quite a bit of "bottle stink" but opened up to a very satisfying old cabernet - not sure if I would hold it much longer
Initially had quite a bit of "bottle stink" but opened up to a very satisfying old cabernet - not sure if I would hold it much longer
Mar 16th, 2015Sensational Cabernet from the land Down Under and in a very good place right now. Rich, concentrated with earth and oak spice and a generous splash of acidity to keep it poised and vibrant on the finish. Getting better with age.
Sensational Cabernet from the land Down Under and in a very good place right now. Rich, concentrated with earth and oak spice and a generous splash of acidity to keep it poised and vibrant on the finish. Getting better with age.
Jan 23rd, 2015
Slight taint on nose and lots of bourbon. Palate texture is nice, but feels a litle clipped and dry, devoid of fruit. Should be better, but...
Slight taint on nose and lots of bourbon. Palate texture is nice, but feels a litle clipped and dry, devoid of fruit. Should be better, but...
Dec 16th, 2013
Penfiolds 1998 Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon.
Penfiolds 1998 Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon.
Oct 16th, 2013
Drank after the 1990, much more overt after the sophisticated 1990. Iron fist in a velvet glove. Still so youthful. Truly amazing wine.
Drank after the 1990, much more overt after the sophisticated 1990. Iron fist in a velvet glove. Still so youthful. Truly amazing wine.
Aug 9th, 2024