Despite an ever-growing family of Penfold’s Bins under Bin 138, this is where the Bin series first gets serious. 2012 has given birth to a great 138, a wine of even flow, impressive fruit line and length, lively acid poise and firm, finely textured tannins that will mature long and even. It’s at once restrained and poised, vibrant and well structured, with a core of fruit integrity of berry/cherry/plum character, opening into lifted violet fragrance and layers of spice and pepper. Senior Red Winemaker Steve Lienert describes 2012 as particularly well suited to the 138 style, yielding the generous and high quality parcels of shiraz, grenache and mataro that he’s seeking for this blend. 66% shiraz, 23% grenache and 11% mataro, matured in older oak. Price rise from $38 to $40 this year. Available 6 March 2014.