Penfolds celebrated the fiftieth consecutive release of Bin 389 yesterday by delving deep into its cellars and lining up the benchmark vintages of 1966, 1976, 1986, 1996 and 2006. At the end of the day, I was amazed to look back and discover that my scores averaged higher than those of four decades of Grange […]
readEdition 57
From two Penfolds vineyards in the highest reaches of the Eden Valley, this is an outstanding Bin 51 that captures the crystalline purity and elegant restraint of the cool 2011 season. At a refreshing 11.0% alcohol, it’s clean, fine, pure and cut. A precise fruit profile of kaffir lime and lemon is underlined by fine, […]
readBin 311 has taken a year of leave from the slopes of Tumbarumba to venture to the south-west Victorian region of Henty, and it’s shed a little of its sophistication in the move. Eighteen percent new French oak is a little more than usual for this label, but the original plantings of the Seppelt Drumborg […]
readAn $8 price hike brings Bin 138 in line with Bin 128 and Bin 28 for the first time, but it remains a simpler wine, without nearly the same structure or stamina. Grenache takes a confident lead (exactly half the blend), with its signature raspberry, strawberry and blackberry fruits, notes of mixed spice and fruit […]
readIf this is any indication of what 2010 has in store from the Penfolds stable, we have much to look forward to. In its early release guise, Bin 128 is barely ready to assess, let alone drink, but with vigorous swirling there is a pretty violet perfume to be coaxed out of the glass. The […]
readIn years to come, 2009 Bin 28 is at risk of being lost between the blockbusters of 2008 and 2010. But like the underrated 1999, which ultimately emerged as a classic and long-lived vintage, 2009 will work its magic in the cellar. There is a restraint here that harks back to the classic vintages of […]
readThe rise and rise of Bin 407, culminating in the mind-blowing 2008, has been an enthralling spectacle. 2009 presents a different personality altogether. McLaren Vale leads here (with strong support from Coonawarra, Robe, Mt Benson, Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley). The pronounced theme is of cool cabernet: lots of mint, lifted violets, blackcurrants, tobacco and […]
readThere is an inherent control in this wine that lifts it above its inaugural 2008 release. An inky, black thing, laced with impressive black plum, black cherry and rhubarb fruit of great persistence, aligned with well-defined, finely textured tannins. Milk chocolate notes are as much a reflection of Marananga shiraz as they are of oak […]
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