2021 Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz
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Tasting notes
The fruit for the 2021 Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz is from Marananga in the Barossa Valley (east of Seppeltsfield, south of Greenock). Currently, the oak—a combination of French and American (each component featuring 29% new)—is sitting atop the fruit here. The essence of Marananga is disguised by this element aromatically. In the mouth, the fruit starts to show: mulberry, raspberry, ferrous, iodine, roast meat, beetroot, peppercorns and licorice. I would suggest that this wine needs time in the cellar; the oak is effusive here. The fruit is better. Have patience. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2021 Shiraz Bin 150, from the Western Barossa, will have many fans thanks to its powerful style. It radiates with mocha, earth, old spices, dark chocolate and cocoa aromas with an overcoat of sweet oak. The palate then kicks on with explosive flavors of juicy dark cherry and blackberry supported by deep-set ferrous tannins, flavors just backing off a touch toward the finish. This is a good but not outstanding Bin 150.
Marananga is very close to the centre of the Barossa Valley with red clay and sandy loam soils. Winter rainfall was 20% below the long-term average but a wetter-than-average August contributed to healthy soil moisture for the start of the growing season. Spring temperatures were slightly warmer than average and the area experienced mild conditions over harvest. Aged for 18 months in French oak (29% new) and American oak (29% new) hogsheads and large puncheons. TA 6.9 g/l, pH 3.65. Much more geographical specificity than usual for Penfolds! But oddly enough it almost smells like Cabernet in this vintage; there’s a certain pyrazine character. But good balance, fully ripe fruit and only a little pinched and drying on the end. Wait awhile. (JR)
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.