Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz (2020)

Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz aka the poor man’s Grange, the baby Grange, call it what you will but if $900-$1000 is a bit much to splash out on a bottle of Penfolds Grange then this is your wine! It gets this nickname as a part of the blend is aged in the same barrels used to age Grange.

A Cabernet Shiraz blend – the Cabernet gives it a good old fashioned firm backbone and the warm climate Shiraz gives it a rounded richness.

It rarely goes a vintage without getting wine buffs jumping out of their seats, this vintage is no different…

97/100 (Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review)
“Generously proportioned cabernet shiraz blend with layer upon layer of concentrated dark berry, cassis, charcuterie, five spice and dark chocolate supported by firm, mouth-gripping tannins that suggest it will be a long distance-runner. Wonderfully complex wine with cabernet playing a slightly dominant role.”

96/100 (Huon Hooke, The Real Review)
“Very deep, bright and saturated purple-red colour, with aromas of earthy/stone, graphite and ferrous notes, shiraz leading the tune, but the cabernet filling in the back and front of the palate. The line is a trifle uneven at this early stage but time will surely put that to rights. Firm, solid, long palate, begging for more time. (McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Barossa Valley, Wrattonbully, Padthaway)”

95/100 (James Halliday’s Wine Companion)
“The famous multiregional blend of 53/47% cabernet sauvignon/shiraz matured in American oak (37% new) for 12 months. Densely packed black and dark berry fruits cut with hints of herbs, roasting meats, licorice, dark chocolate, earth and oak spice. Coming in after some of its plush and elegant siblings, this 389 release looked a little chewy and sinewy in comparison. Finishes with robust berry fruits, oolong tea and a blast of American oak creaminess. I’ve no doubt it will age well, but it wasn’t very giving on this showing.”

As usual this iconic Penfolds Bin 389 wine has got massive cellaring potential of 15-20 years, a must for the collectors out there!