2007 Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz
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Tasting notes
A wine of contrast and contradiction. Introvert | Extrovert. Showy and rich | Cool and composed. Chocolate. Dark mint chocolate. Cumin. Ganache. Liquorice. A wine that feels rooted, deeply, as if it’s finding spaces in loam and minerals and all those cool, hidden, rich, dark underground spaces. But it’s also a wine that is comfortable with richness and curves and rising, like a magnificent balustrade. Densely knit. Long rippling finish, like a pebble thrown into a still pool. Magnificent. (TC)
Critic scores
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Tamlyn Currin, jancisrobinson.com
Josh Raynolds
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Composed of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon and 46% Shiraz, the fruit for the 2007 Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz came from 5 different sub-regions around South Australia. Matured 12 months in American oak, 39% new, it gives a very deep garnet-purple color and aromas of blackberry preserves, warm black currant, vanilla, spices and mocha plus a slight floral lift. Full-bodied with firm, fine-grained tannins, there’s a good concentration of ripe fruit in the mouth offset by high acid and finishing long and spicy. Approachable now, it should cellar to 2018+. With a lot of changes happening around the Foster’s Group, it is business as usual at Penfolds…which seems to operate within its own world. But this is no small world. The vineyard holdings here are vast and the connections with growers go back generations. Chief winemaker Peter Gago is the very well spoken front-man for the production team backed-up Kym Schroeter in charge of the whites and Steve Lienert crafting some very fine, consistent and sometimes inspired reds. If Champagne is all about the art of blending, then Penfolds is the Champagne of Australian wine. Those that think large companies producing wines that emphasize blending can’t make great wines need to think about the Champagne model or simply try some of Penfolds top wines to become believers. That said – check out their recent single vineyard release: the very special 2004 Block 42 Kalimna Cabernet Sauvignon, the first release of a wine made purely from this 100+ year old single block (perhaps the oldest block of Cabernet in the world?) since 1996. Importer: Foster’s Wine Estates Americas, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-4500
(54% cabernet sauvignon and 46% shiraz) Bright ruby. Cherry-vanilla, blackberry, cola and fresh violet on the nose, with a touch of white pepper adding vibrancy. Lush and creamy, with sweet dark fruit flavors and a good dose of vanillin oak and baking spices. Tannins arrive late and knit well with the fruit. This is aged completely in American oak (39% of it in the form of new hogsheads) and it shows right now. Very appealing if you're an American oak fan but in need of some time for the fruit to come forward if you're not. Finishes with good focus, energy and lingering spiciness.
About the producer
Penfolds is Australia’s most famous wine producer, known best for their iconic top wine, Grange. First produced commercially in 1952, Grange has since gone on to become one of the world’s most famous fine wines. In 2001, the wine was listed as an Australian heritage icon.