A savoury and structured style, edgy and firm, with tangy acidity thrust against a wall of firm, fine oak tannins. Beetroot and sour morello cherry fruit has integrity, yet lacks the strength to withstand 8 months in 52% new French oak. Wild fermented with 10% whole bunches. Available 6 March 2014.

read

A Bin 311 of impressive poise and power, considered by Chief Winemaker Peter Gago to be one of the more generous under this label. Intense fruit concentration of lingering white peach and pure grapefruit is well balanced by finely honed mineral structure intrinsic to this lofty region. Subtle hints of charcuterie derive from fermentation and […]

read

A lesser Bin 28, a wine of apparent tannin structure and lively, cool season acidity, conspiring in a firm, slightly astringent finish. Already quite secondary in its development, meaty, gamey, spicy and savoury, with lingering flavours of pan juices and dried herbs, set against a backdrop of firm, fine tannins. A blend of McLaren Vale, […]

read

Bin 8 endeavours to fill the gap as the price of 389 inflates, though it’s not half the wine. A fragrant leaf, redcurrant and cedar bouquet opens into violet perfume in time. The palate is bright, lively, firm and finely structured, with tangy, leafy cabernet fruit taking the lead amidst grippy tannins and sour acidity, […]

read

A lesser Bin 389, though testimony to the power of blending to rescue a difficult season, with almost the entire production of what would have been Bin 707 in the blend. This is a Bin 389 of structure, elegance and vibrancy more than flesh. The bouquet leads out closed, slowly opening into subtle, tangy red […]

read

A wine of persistence and integrity, a good result for the vintage, though a lesser Bin 150. It’s a complex, spicy and savoury style of finely textured structure, notes of pepper, layers of savoury, charcuterie, gamey complexity and milk chocolate, opening out into black plum and blackberry fruit. Impressive line and length for the season, […]

read

An edgy 407, a lesser release for this label, albeit a good result for a tough season, benefiting from some Bin 169 relegation. The bouquet leads out with well-defined leaf, blackcurrant, redcurrant and capsicum fruit with notes of dried herbs, both fragrant and earthy. The palate is true to the season, tangy, crunchy and lively […]

read

If you buy no other Penfolds this release, don’t miss St Henri. It’s as if the 2010 season was pefectly orchestrated for this large format, old oak style. A celebration of this great vintage, this is one of the finest under this label of the modern era, perhaps ever. The epitome of the St Henri […]

read

An engaging and commendable wine for the season. True to this cool vintage, there is a prettiness and an elegance to this Magill, with lively acid presence and a savoury edge, accented with dark chocolate, liquorice, black olives, exotic spice and pepper over a core of elegant, tangy berry fruits. It soaks up 100% new […]

read

If St Henri is the Penfolds red to buy this year, Bin A is the white. 2012 has produced a beautiful and characterful chardonnay of effortless energy, uniting grand complexity with crystalline finesse. Penfold’s Senior White Winemaker Kim Schroeter rates it alongside 2009 as one of the best, and I’m a believer. Bin A’s signature […]

read