2014 Bin 128
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Tasting notes
Deep ruby. Sexy, oak-tinged dark berry and floral scents pick up cracked pepper and licorice flourishes with aeration. Juicy and precise on the palate, offering sweet blackberry and cherry flavors that unfold and spread out steadily on the back half. Shows impressive clarity and spicy persistence on the finish, which is framed by smooth, even tannins.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Halliday
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Shiraz Bin 128 (from Coonawarra) has a good core of pronounced black fruits, loam and tar with chargrill notes plus a hint of black pepper. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is led by structure with a solid backbone, taut fruit and great length, going earthy/peppery on the finish.
Acidity 6.1 g/l, pH 3.62. 12 months in French oak hogsheads (26% new, 43% one year old, 31% two year old). Very aromatic – almost nasal decongestant! Then a dry finish but masses of fruit on the mid palate. So much more generously fruited than many Coonawarra reds. Time has shown that these wines can last 40 years. Hint of cough pastilles. Grainy finish. Really rather sophisticated. GV (JR)
Deep crimson-purple; a complex fusion of blackberry fruit, cedary oak and hints of spice is a promising start, and the medium to full-bodied palate takes the bouquet onto another level. A long way in front of the sometimes skinny or bony Bin 128s of yesteryear. For the record, matured in 100% French oak. Sep 2016, www.winecompanion.com.au, Drink: 2016-2034
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.