2019 Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz
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Tasting notes
Smells like peonies, hot summer midnight, after the rain, and the first candy note on this vertical of Bin 389s. The first wine to show a slightly childish naivety (not in a bad way, just a young way). Gauche tannins, strong, muscled, beautifully sculpted, but still haven't found their way of moving, not quite yet coordinated. Dark-blue fruit. Liquorice and fennel and anise. Great concentration, complexity and potency but it feels far from ready to drink. (TC)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
The Shiraz leads the fruit, but the structure of the Cabernet backs it all up. It's still a little reticent in aromatic terms. Tight but full of potential. More to revisit. There's no question of its complexity or intensity – but it needs time. (RH)
Shows a very strident, oak-driven nose with cedar and spice thatâs overlaid on ripe blackcurrant, red plum and cherry. Pepper and cocoa powder, too. The palate has a sinewy feel with intense summer berries and plums, as well as strong blackcurrant character. Curated to a brazen style with strong tannins. A blend of 53% cabernet sauvignon and 47% shiraz, matured in American-oak hogsheads (300 litres - 25% new). A blend of Padthaway, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Wrattonbully and Barossa Valley. Drink over the next decade. Screw cap.
Saturated ruby. Expressive, smoke- and spice-accented cherry, blackcurrant and floral oil scents are complemented by suggestions of cured tobacco and licorice. Sweet, seamless and penetrating on the palate, offering intense bitter cherry, dark berry and savory herb flavors that take a sweeter turn with air. Shows excellent focus and a touch of smokiness on the long, gently chewy finish, which features repeating florality and slow-building tannins. Made in all American oak hogsheads, 25% of them new.
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.