Rich, dense and succulent, with dark chocolate, black walnut liqueur, mocha and chocolate-covered maraschino cherry flavors that ooze generously on a plush frame. Accents of singed palo santo, tobacco leaf, black olive and baking spices linger on the long, expressive finish. Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Drink now through 2037. 9,330 cases imported.
The 'mini Grange', as it is known. Robust, with a core of molten raspberry, blueberry, tea leaf and anise, juxtaposed against something that feels cooler and fresher and compelling enough to reach for the next glass. Very Australian of feel. I have had old vintages of this, some very old. They are inevitably a rewarding experience. The generous oak framework, apposite in lieu of this latent wine's immense potential. Drinkable now, but best from 2027.
This opaque Cab-Shiraz blend needs plenty of aeration before revealing its charms. When it does, it’s led by blackberry and blood plum with undercurrents of charred root vegetables, coffee and licorice, and a lick of toasty oak. Tightly wound, chalk-dust tannins make room for the supple fruit on the dense, shapely palate. One for the cellar, this should really start to shine in another 7-10 years. (Cellar Selection)
TWI
94pts
The Wine Independent
The 2021 Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz was sourced from McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Barossa Valley, Wrattonbully, and Padthaway and the blend is 53% Cabernet Sauvignon with 47% Shiraz. It has a deep garnet-purple color and notes of crème de cassis, blackberry preserves, and chocolate-covered cherries tumble from the glass, leading to suggestions of cedar chest, graphite, and underbrush. The full-bodied palate delivers layers of bright, crunchy black fruit offset by velvety tannins and bold freshness, finishing with a lingering minty lift.
The 2021 Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz is creamy and densely packed with flavor (packed!), and the American oak is a core part of the wine, both aromatically and in the mouth. The fruit is from McLaren, Coonawarra, Barossa Valley, Wrattonbully and Padthaway and comprises 53% Cabernet Sauvignon and 47% Shiraz. The cooler season has imbued the wine with a freshness and levity, which, if you asked me prior to tasting, I would have said it was impossible to imbue levity in the Bin 389! But there you have it. Epic intensity, present oak. Give it time. I have tasted 30-year-old Bin 389s in the past that have still been alive and fresh. So, the cellar is the place for this vintage. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.
This 2021 Bin 389 is a reserved claret style made up of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon and 47% Shiraz from across South Australia. It is pretty embryonic and only hints at what is in store over the medium to long term. There is impressive complexity to start: cassis, slate, cola, gravel, spice box and baked earth aromas with good purity of fruit. The overall structure has an excellent vibrancy, which drives upfront impact and the overall style, with flavors currently sitting in reserve for their time to shine. Mid-weight and well-composed, the finish is lengthy, yet the wine is clearly not ready to enjoy and will need at least a decade in bottle to hit its straps.
Inviting dark cassis nose, then to a palate of chocolate, plummy fruit, mint chocolate and spice. (Silver) - DWWA 2024
Winery Notes
Balance of the sweet (cabernet) and the savory (shiraz). Possesses what has now often been referred to as a black forest cake 2021 vintage flavor profile. Darker fruits – closer to that of a black cherry liqueur than a crème de cassis. The structure of Cabernet Sauvignon aligned with the richness of Shiraz. Blackberries, savory herbs, licorice, cassis this wine’s youthful profile is tempered by softened and even tannins – from start to finish. And the judicious use of new oak.